The first batch of 20 Bahraini cadets from Gulf Aviation Academy (GAA) have left for England, to begin their Ab-Initio (from the beginning) programme, which is part of the process to gain the Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence (ATPL).

The programme, which is a joint initiative with Mumtalakat, Bahrain Development Bank (BDB) and Tamkeen (Labour Fund), is run by GAA. These cadets are the first of 100 Bahrainis who will have the opportunity to become commercial pilots.

The cadets will spend the majority of their time in Oxford, England to complete the internationally certified commercial pilot training programme. Once the two-year programme is complete, GAA will support the cadets in their job search both in Bahrain and across the region.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for the 20 Bahrainis chosen who went through rigorous testing and demonstrated the kind of enthusiasm and discipline necessary to achieve their goals in order to become fully licensed commercial pilots,” said Khalil Amin, head of Marketing and Business Development at GAA.-TradeArabia News Service