President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva attended the inauguration of the International Training Center at the National Aviation Academy on April 8.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Academician Arif Pashayev, Rector of the National Aviation Academy, Rashad Nabiyev, Minister of Digital Development and Transport, and Samir Rzayev, Chairman of the Board of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC, briefed the head of state and the First Lady on the center's operations.
The International Training Center, established on the initiative of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC within the territory of the National Aviation Academy, is designed for emergency training of flight crews and the theoretical and practical instruction of air traffic controllers. The facility will train controllers for the Azeraeronavigation Air Traffic Department in accordance with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). To this end, the Aeronavigation Training Center will operate based on the curriculum of the German Air Navigation Academy (DFS), one of the world's leading institutions in this field.
The complex features a TWR tower simulator providing a 360-degree panoramic view of Heydar Aliyev International Airport, as well as a radar simulator complex for airspace management. These systems allow controllers to train under realistic operational conditions. Additionally, the center is equipped with a modern simulator complex to enhance the skills of drivers of various special-purpose vehicles operating at airports. The facility plans to train approximately 30 air traffic controllers and 3,000 aircraft crew members annually.
Furthermore, the center is equipped with a new generation A320/A321 NEO CEET aircraft simulator by SkyArt, a specialized Turkish company, to ensure effective safety procedures inside the aircraft cabin during emergencies. The simulator includes Door Trainers for Boeing 787 aircraft and new generation Real Fire Fighting Trainers (RFFT). This new infrastructure will significantly contribute to strengthening personnel training in the aviation sector within the region and foster a competitive national workforce in line with international standards.
The National Aviation Academy, where this center is located, serves as the primary higher education institution in Azerbaijan for the civil aviation industry. Established in 1992, the academy has consistently expanded its technical base to meet global aviation benchmarks. The integration of such advanced simulation technology underscores Azerbaijan's commitment to enhancing civil aviation safety and maintaining its position as a regional transport hub. By providing a training environment that closely mirrors real-flight conditions, the center plays a vital role in ensuring the highest levels of flight security and operational excellence in the capital and across the country.
