Airbus Flight Academy and Sevenair partner to expand ab initio training offering

Toulouse, France / Cascais, Portugal, 5 November 2025 – Airbus Flight Academy and Sevenair Academy, one of Europe’s largest flight training organisations, have signed a partnership agreement at the European Airline Training Symposium (EATS) in Portugal. With a projected global need for 633,000 new pilots over the next 20 years highlighted in the latest Airbus Global Services Forecast, including substantial demand in Europe for 119,000 pilots, this training partnership aims at expanding Airbus’ Flight Academy network and preparing the next generation of aviation professionals.

Today, the Airbus training network consists of 21 locations, which offer a complete flight training package closer to the customers’ home base. The addition of Sevenair Academy to its network is an important step for Airbus in enlarging its ab initio footprint and positions Portugal as a key training location. The partnership agreement delivers a comprehensive training programme designed to take individuals with no prior flight experience through every training phase to become a licensed pilot. Cadets gain the necessary skills and competencies for a seamless transition into airline careers. 

“Leveraging Airbus’ decades of expertise in flight safety, instructor development, and curriculum standardisation, this partnership ensures the highest training quality. Sevenair Academy will benefit from Airbus’ ongoing support and innovations, enhancing instructors’ skills and broadening training opportunities for both airline partners and self-sponsored aspiring pilots”, highlights Maïa Kuilenberg, VP Training Services at Airbus. 

“This partnership with Airbus marks an important milestone for Sevenair Academy, reinforcing our commitment to world-class pilot training. By combining Airbus’ high standards with our four decades of experience in ab initio training and our state-of-the-art facilities and fleet in Ponte de Sor, Portugal, we are setting a new benchmark in aviation education and preparing cadets to excel in a dynamic global industry,” says Carlos Amaro, CEO of Sevenair Academy.

Currently training 200 cadets, Sevenair aims to progressively increase its training capacity annually, delivering modular and integrated pilot training programmes. This week, a first group of Royal Brunei Airlines cadets starts its Airbus training there.

Discover more about the Airbus Flight Academy on flightacademy.airbus.com and about Sevenair Academy on www.sevenair.com.