Airbus and the Japanese airline All Nippon Airways (ANA) signed a comprehensive flight training agreement during the 'Asia Pacific Aviation Training Summit (APATS) 2026', which took place in the city of Bangkok, Thailand. The agreement aims to train the next generation of ANA pilots, expanding a strategic partnership that has already lasted nearly four decades.
The training program will be delivered at 'Sevenair Academy', located in Ponte de Sor, in the Alto Alentejo region of Portugal. ANA Group cadets and partner airline cadets will go through all phases of training, from the beginning until they become licensed pilots. The first class of 19 cadets is scheduled to begin training later this year.
Cadets will train under a unique and unified curriculum, based on Airbus flight training concepts, methodologies, and modern tools, aligned with the Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) philosophy. ANA's Executive Vice President of Flight Operations, Takeshi Tsuchida, stated that the program incorporates the latest safety knowledge and will equip cadets with essential competencies to navigate complex operational environments.
According to Airbus Global Services forecasts, the aviation industry will need 633,000 new pilots worldwide in the next 20 years, with 104,000 alone in the Asia-Pacific region. Through this agreement, Airbus and ANA are ensuring a continuous flow of qualified, high-standard pilots for Japan's aviation market.
