Oman's first aviation academy will soon open following the signing of an agreement by the Omani Authority for Partnership for Development (OAPFD) and other shareholders.

The academy will be based in Sohar Airport and is expected to be operated by CAE, a leading civil and defence aviation training company with approximately 160 training sites in more than 35 countries around the world, said a report in Oman News Agency.

Construction works on the academy, which will have a capacity of 150 trainees, will begin in the last quarter of 2017 over a 4,000-sq-m area. It will include a 3,000-sq-m of aircraft hangar, a 4,000-sq-m student housing, a tower and a taxiway.

The academy will be equipped with the latest specifications and standards and will be equipped with nine single engine piston aircraft and four twin-engine aircraft for flight training and simulators.

OAA will provide aviation training for national and regional cadres with the aim of them obtaining an EASA aviation frozen (ATPL), which enables them to be pilots in regional and international airlines.

Dentons, a shareholder in the project, has advised the Omani Authority for Partnership for Development (OAPFD) on the establishment of the OAA. The firm additionally advised on the training service agreement entered into between OAA and Oman Air as well as OAA's service level agreement with CAE Oxford Aviation Academy for the provision of operating services.

Dr Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce and Industry and chairman of the board of trustees of the authority, said: "This important agreement reflects the strategic partnership between the sultanate and shareholders companies and it will play a great role in supplying the local aviation sector with pilots either in civil or military sector.

He added: "The Oman Aviation Academy is an educational training platform that will contribute to promoting the education sector through the development of a new training curriculum. We hope that through this project, the sultanate will be the first destination for neighbouring and regional countries to benefit from the training and educational services in the field of aviation sector." - TradeArabia News Service