Volaris, the low-cost airline serving Mexico and the US, has chosen “Training By Airbus” to provide A320 Family flight simulator training and courses in Miami and Mexico as part of an agreement which includes more than 25,000 flight training hours for 500 pilots. Volaris, an all-Airbus operator, has ordered a total of 74 aircraft to date and operates 47 A320 Family aircraft.

Training of Volaris’ pilots has already begun at the Airbus Training Center in Miami, and in 2015, Airbus will provide the airline with flight training in Mexico City where it is based. With this new facility, Airbus plans to build on the expertise of its Miami Training Center to create a satellite flight training operation in Mexico City, which will also mark the opening of the first Airbus flight training centre in Latin America.

“Partnering with Airbus to train our pilots locally will allow us to optimize our operating costs, allowing us to pass the savings on to our clients,” said Enrique Beltranena, Volaris CEO. “The training agreement will offer our crews state-of-the art flight simulator technology in conjunction with experienced Airbus instructors.”

“The Airbus Training Center in Miami will serve as a centre of excellence for our Mexico operation, making our signature flight training services locally available to Volaris,” said Didier Lux, Senior Vice President of Airbus Customer Services. “Serving Volaris first in Miami and then in Mexico City allows us to be closer to the customer and to directly support their growth by greatly increasing the productivity of their pilots and maintenance personnel.”

Training By Airbus ensures a smooth aircraft entry-into-service and provides customers with support and services throughout the operational life of their Airbus fleet. It also provides courses locally to its customers thanks to mobile solutions and e-Learning features.

Built in 1999, the Airbus Training Center in Miami, which complements centres in Toulouse, Beijing and Bangalore, provides training for Airbus customers’ flight and cabin crew, as well as maintenance personnel. Approximately 2,000 trainees take Airbus courses annually at the Miami center under the direction of 70 Airbus employees. Most of the facility’s trainees come from Airbus airline operators in the US, Canada and Latin America.