AFTA has opened a new aircraft maintenance hangar at Waterford Airport
Atlantic Flight Training Academy (AFTA) has now announced the official opening of its new IAA approved Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at its second Irish Pilot Training base, located at Waterford Airport.
Since 1995 the company has trained 2,300 graduates who are employed with the world’s leading airlines including, Ryanair, Aer Lingus, EasyJet, British Airways, Air Astana, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Cathay Pacific, and many more carriers.
AFTA’s new IAA approved aircraft maintenance Hangar will service AFTA’s modern aircraft training fleet, which includes the super-efficient, ergonomically designed, Diamond DA42NGs and Twin Stars, Piper PA34 Seneca and C172 fleet. AFTA operate 24 aircraft, 5 flight simulators and employs over 55 people. The addition of the enhanced maintenance facility will create more high-skilled jobs in the South East region.
Aidan Power, Waterford Airport Manager, said:
“Atlantic Flight Training Academy has been utilising Waterford as a training airport for the past 24 years and in 2018 committed to a full-time operational base at the airport. During the last three years pilot training at Waterford has grown exponentially.
“It is excellent news that AFTA have decided to solidify their presence further at Waterford by investing in this new IAA Approved aircraft hangar. We look forward to seeing the base grow over the coming years, creating more jobs for the region and we wish AFTA and especially all the cadet’s training at Waterford every success in their airline careers.”
AFTA CEO, Mark Casey said:
“We are delighted to officially open our new IAA approved Aircraft Maintenance Hangar here at Waterford airport, AFTA’s second Irish Pilot Training base. Waterford is a vital component of Ireland’s airport infrastructure which offers first class facilities and services to operators. Government support for our regional airport infrastructure is of utmost importance to aviation career development and the creation of highly skilled jobs which are decentralised from Dublin.”
Commenting on AFTA’s mission to play its part in helping to decarbonise aviation training, Captain Mark Casey, continued:
“AFTA’s transition to a carbon neutral training academy by 2030 is an achievable ambition with continued government support for our regional airports.”
Speaking at AFTA’s aircraft Hangar launch, Dr Rose Leahy, Senior Lecturer, Dept of Marketing & International Business, MTU, commented:
“The commitment of Atlantic Flight Training Academy is an example of how businesses and universities working together can achieve great success in preparing students for rewarding careers in the aviation industry. The AFTA/MTU partnership is an important development in the upskilling of existing aircrew and the newly launched full time honours degree for new students will provide a valuable career foundation for AFTA pilots.”
