WestJet and CAE announced a 15-year agreement to develop a new aviation and aerospace centre in Calgary, offering both state-of-the-art training equipment and collaborative research and development initiatives.
A Long-Term Commitment to Aviation Training
WestJet and CAE announced that they are signing a 15-year training agreement.
According to the agreement, CAE will develop the Alberta Training Centre of Excellence for Aviation and Aerospace in Calgary, which is an aviation training facility.
WestJet is expected to be the major commercial airline customer and be the first to provide initial and recurrent training on Boeing 737MAX, 737NG, 787 Dreamliner and De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft for pilots and cabin crew.
In addition, the centre is expected to have a partnership with Mount Royal University (MRU). The centre is expected to be the first facility in Canada to offer both state-of-the-art training equipment and collaborative research and development initiatives.
Academic Collaboration and Career Pathways
CAE is expected to take major roles across design, development, and ongoing operation of the centre.
On the other hand, MRU is expected to undertake the role as the primary post-secondary collaborator, to offer academic research expertise and supporting mentorship and career-integrated student learning opportunities in partnership with CAE and WestJet.
MRU and WestJet are expected to expose prospective professionals to commercial aviation through an Airline Transition Program (ATP). The MRU aviation students who take the program can be expected to gain combined speciality training from WestJet, with allocated simulator training time at the facility.
Facility Details and Leadership Commentary
The construction is expected to begin later this year, and the centre is expected to open in 2028 with a size of 126,000 square feet.
There will be eight full-flight simulators, cabin trainers, and state-of-the-art digital learning tools situated in the centre.
Chief Executive Officer of the WestJet Group Alexis von Hoensbroech said:
“This 15-year contract is a significant commitment that will ensure our people receive the highest standard of training for years to come, and we’re very pleased to join forces with CAE, a global leader in aviation training and fellow Canadian company, to bring this project to life.”
CAE’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Bromberg, said:
“Today marks a proud moment for CAE and for Canadian aviation. The Alberta Training Centre of Excellence represents what’s possible when industry, academia, and government come together with a shared vision for innovation, safety, and workforce development.”
CAE Division President, Commercial Aviation, Michel Azar-Hmouda said:
“The Alberta Training Centre of Excellence marks a major milestone in CAE’s growth in Western Canada and underscores our commitment to being where our customers need us most. We look forward to welcoming pilots and cabin crew to this state-of-the-art facility, proudly supporting these professionals for the moments that matter.”
Will this new centre reshape aviation training in Canada? How important is collaboration between airlines, academia, and industry in developing future aviation professionals? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
