Dubai World Central Aviation City, which will be home to the world's largest maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre in Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, has signed a land lease agreement with a Dubai company to set up the Middle East's first independent aviation safety training academy.
Spatial Aviation Safety Training Academy (SASTA), a specialist provider of aircrew training solutions, will build the US$ 37 million (AED 136 million), 14,000 square metre facility to cater to commercial airlines, private and corporate jet operators, helicopter and light fixed wing crew.
The academy will also provide customised training for airport ground staff and management.
"This regional 'first' will significantly add to DWC's proposition as a totally comprehensive aviation hub and provide a vital service to the industry within the Middle East who will be able to access world-class training without the costs of sending staff overseas," said Abdulla Al Qurashi, CEO, DWC Aviation City.
"Aviation City will be a hub for global aviation training institutions who meet all international regulatory standards in order to bridge the gap between demand and supply to the full gambit of aviation providers regionally."
SASTA's safety training programme is compliant with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation), JAR-OPS (Joint Aviation Regulations) and UAE's GCAA (General Civil Aviation Authority) standards.
"Our vision is to establish SASTA as an exemplar provider of world class safety training programmes for the aviation industry, at Dubai World Central. We are excited and fully committed to play our part in the success of this truly historical project," said Joseph McKeever, CEO, Spatial Training Solutions.
"The academy's 40-strong staff managed by aviation industry experts will operate from a fully-equipped facility complete with an Airbus A300/310 and B777 full cabin simulator, real fire fighting trainer, ditching and water survival pool, a G500/550 Gulfstream, Hawker, Fokker and Airbus A318/A319/A320/ ,A321 and B737 door trainers. We anticipate its appeal will extend beyond the Middle East, to also service the rapidly-developing aviation sector within the Indian Sub-continent."
The academy's syllabus includes crew resources management, leadership courses, 'Train The Trainer' and aircrew safety and emergency procedures compliant with Civil Aviation Regulations.
The academy is to be operational by January 2009 when first flights will serve DWC's Al Maktoum International Airport - set to be the world's largest.
The US$1.4 billion (AED 5 billion) DWC Aviation City is a strategic aviation project launched within Dubai World Central (DWC) - the 140 square kilometre urban aviation, multi-phased development in Jebel Ali and will feature the MRO centre, repair and test as well as aircraft system and components installation facilities.
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About Dubai World Central:
Dubai World Central (DWC) is a 140 square kilometre urban aviation community centred around the world's largest international airport. Currently being built 40 kilometres from the existing Dubai International Airport the project is almost twice the size of Hong Kong Island.
DWC creates a new benchmark in urban planning and destination living designed to support Dubai's aviation, tourism, commercial and logistics requirements until 2050 and represents one of the most important developments in the history of the United Arab Emirates.
Eventually home to 900,000 people, DWC will be true 'city-within-a-city' with all the amenities that make up a world-class residential destination.
DWC, with infrastructure costs estimated at US $33 billion, comprises six specialized clustered zones: Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai Logistics City (DLC), DWC Commercial City, DWC Residential City, DWC Aviation City and DWC Golf City.
DWC is endorsed by the Government of Dubai and is chaired by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai City of Aviation Corporation - Dubai World Central, Government of Dubai.
About Dubai World Central components:
Al Maktoum International Airport when completed will be the world's biggest passenger and cargo hub, with a capacity of 120 million passengers and more than 12 million tonnes of cargo annually. The airport will have six parallel runways and as many concourses with a 91 metre high control tower that will be an aviation landmark in the Middle East.
DWC Aviation City will be the region's premier centre of excellence for aviation manufacturing, MRO, aviation support services and consultancy, research and development, training, aviation products and parts and high tech industries. It is a unique concept to establish a complete aviation cluster in one area to cater to the region's aviation growth. It is strategically located to provide clients access to emerging markets as well as servicing the fast growing Middle East market.
Dubai Logistics City will be part of the world's first truly integrated multi-modal logistics platform in a single-bonded free zone environment made up of DLC, JXB and Jebel Ali Port. It is designed as the region's unchallenged logistics hub catering to some two billion people throughout the Middle East, Indian Sub-continent, Africa and the CIS, all within three-to-four hours flying time from Dubai.
DWC Commercial City will be DWC's business and finance hub featuring more than 850 towers, ranging from 1 - 45 storeys in height. The city, expected to employ 130,000 people, will also boast 25 hotels ranging from deluxe, through to five-star, four-star and three-star properties.
DWC Residential City will include a mix of five-ten storey mid-cost apartment blocks. Up to 250,000 people are expected to live in this 'city'. A special staff village will house blue-collar workers within high-quality accommodation.
DWC Golf City will feature two 18-hole golf courses, extensive practice facilities, driving ranges, putting greens, a luxury clubhouse with restaurants and a pro-shop. Over 5,000 freehold homes will surround the courses. The resort will also feature a high-end boutique hotel.
For more information please contact:
MCS/Action, PO Box 20970,
Dubai,
United Arab Emirates
Gladson Ronad
Tel: +9714 390 2960;
Fax: +9714 390 8161
Mob: +971 50 4533479
email: gladson.r@actionprgroup.com
Fouad Kassem
Tel: +9714 390 2960;
Fax: +9714 390 8161
Mob: +971 50 6324150
email: fouad.k@actionprgroup.com
or visit www.dwc.ae
Joseph McKeever
Tel: +9714 8818833;
Fax: +9714 881 8844
Mob: +971 50 6259024
email: mckeever@spatial-composite.com
© Press Release 2007
