Dubai, U.A.E., 31st January 2007 - Emirates-CAE Flight Training (ECFT) has launched the region's first-ever Gulfstream 550 business jet training programme and welcomed its first customers.

The announcement was made at the Middle East Business Aviation Show and conference (MEBA) at Airport Expo Dubai which was officially opened by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman & Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group.

Sheikh Ahmed and Jeff Roberts, CAE's Group President, Innovation, Civil Training & Services, signed an agreement for the Gulfstream 550 full-flight simulator and associated training equipment for the programme.

They also signed a five-year exclusive contract with Chris Crum, CEO of Royal Jet of Abu Dhabi, UAE, for its flight crew to train on the 737BBJ and Gulfstream IV/400 full-flight simulators.

In announcing the launch of the G550 training programme, Mr. Roberts welcomed its first two customers, G5 Executive, one of CAE's original G5 customers, represented by its CEO Peter Fried, and Jet Aviation, Europe's largest charter company, represented by Dave Paddock, SVP Business Development & Corporate Strategy. 

The companies' flight crews will start G550 CAE Simfinity-based classroom training and FAA/JAA Level D Gulfstream 550 full-flight simulator training in March.

Jeff Roberts said: "The addition of this latest Gulfstream Business Jet programme will allow ECFT to better serve our current base of over 150 customers by providing a "closer to home" training solution to all G550 operators from Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia."

-Ends-

Emirates-CAE Flight Training is located close to Dubai International Airport and is jointly operated by the Emirates Group and CAE, a global leader in simulation and training solutions. Approved by both the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Joint Airworthiness Authorities (JAA), the facility offers training to commercial airlines and corporate aircraft operators in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia. 

The 14-bay centre houses 10 full-flight simulators: Two Airbus A320ACJs, an Airbus A330/340, one Boeing 777, two Boeing 737 NG/BBJs, a Gulfstream IV and V, a Hawker 800/800XP and a Bell 412 helicopter simulator.

The Emirates Group comprises Emirates Airline, Dnata, the largest travel services provider in the Middle East, and a number of other commercial companies. Emirates is the world's third most profitable airline and among the 20 largest. It is based in Dubai, one of the few cities in the world that pursues an open-skies policy, with more than one hundred airlines in free and fair competition. emirates.com

CAE (NYSE: CGT; TSX: CAE) is a world leader in providing simulation and modelling technologies, and integrated training services to the civil aviation industry and defence forces around the globe. We design, manufacture and supply simulation equipment and offer training and services. This includes integrated modelling, simulation and training solutions for commercial airlines, business aircraft operators, aircraft manufacturers and military organizations and a global network of training centres for pilots, and in some instances, cabin crew and maintenance workers.

With annual revenues of over C$1 billion, CAE operates in 19 countries around the world. CAE has sold nearly 700 simulators and training devices to airlines, aircraft manufacturers, training centres and defence forces for air and ground purposes in more than 40 countries. We have over 110 full-flight simulators in more than 20 aviation training centres, serving approximately 3,500 airlines, aircraft operators and manufacturers across the globe. CAE licenses its simulation software to various market segments and has a professional services division assisting customers with a wide range of simulation-based needs. ca

Emirates contact:
Frances Barton,
Emirates Corporate Communications.
Tel: (+9714) 203 2144,
Mob: (+97150) 650 3900; 
email: fran.bart@emirates.com
visit: www.emirates.com

© Press Release 2007