Thursday 6th November 2014
The International Aviation Academy of New Zealand (IAANZ) signed a Memorandum of Under-standing on 3 November with Open Skies Flight Training Limited, a Sri Lankan pilot training academy based in Colombo.
The signing marks the launch of an international pilot training scheme for students training to become commercial pilots. IAANZ has been training pilots for 86 years and is the first foreign school to be approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka.
The first training scheme will involve cadet pilot training and progress to advanced commercial pilot training which will take place in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Under the partnership, student pilots will first train in Sri Lanka and then progress to Christchurch, New Zealand, to complete advanced training to receive a CAA Sri Lanka Commercial Pilot License certification.
From left: IAA International Marketing Manager Prince Joel, IAA International Marketing Manager J. Jonathan Manuel, IAA CEO Peter Randle, New Zealand’s Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy, Open Skies Chairman and MD D.H. Fernando, New Zealand High Commissioner Grahame Morton, Open Skies Director M. Dineth Hirantha Fernando, NZTE Trade Commissioner Kevin McKenna and Civil Aviation Authority Flight Safety Director Susantha De Silva
The Asian region is expected to become the hub of aviation growth in the years ahead. This understanding between IAANZ and Open Skies puts Sri Lanka in a strategic position to supply quality pilots as per demand. New Zealand’s Minister for Primary Industries witnessed the signing in Colombo. Minister Guy is leading a business delegation to Sri Lanka and India this week to further strengthen trade ties in advance of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 to be co-hosted in New Zealand. He is accompanied by 15 NZ businesses and organisations.
The New Zealand High Commissioner Grahame Morton, CEO of The International Avia-tion Academy of New Zealand Peter Randle, International Marketing Manager Jonathan Manuel, Country Manager India and Sri Lanka Prince Joel, Managing Director and Chairman for Open Skies Flight training M.D.H. Fernando and Director M. Dineth Hirantha Fernando were also present at the signing today.
