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26 July 2017
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SIGNING OMAN AVIATION ACADEMY’S SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT

TANMIA signed the Shareholders’ Agreement of Oman Aviation Academy on 26 July 2017 with its partners: The Omani Authority for Partnership for Development (OAPFD) , Airbus Helicopters, The Ministry of Defense Pension Fund and Al-Hosn Investment Company. The signing of the agreement was held under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Ali bin Masoud al-Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of OAPFD. The ceremony was attended by H.E. Mohammed bin Nasser Al-Rasby, Secretary General at the Ministry of Defence, some members of the Majlis A'Shura, Ambassadors of the State of Qatar, the Republic of France and the United Kingdom.

The agreement was signed by Sheikh Rashid bin Saif Al-Saadi, CEO of TANMIA; Dr. Dhafir bin Awadh Marai al-Shanfari, OAPFD CEO; Ben Bridge, Airbus Helicopters Executive Vice President Global Business; Captain Said bin Hamad al-Ismaili, Assistant General Manager of the Ministry of Defence Pension Fund; and Osama Mariam, CEO of Al-Hosn Investment.

The Oman Aviation Academy is considered to be the first aviation training company to be established in the Sultanate, in cooperation with Airbus Helicopters. Moreover, 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.

The Academy 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.

The first phase of the Academy will kick-off in the last quarter of this year. A cooperation agreement has been signed with Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), as in October 2017, the first group of students will begin a special foundation course developed by SQU for OAA students.

The Academy project will play an important role in the development of the Sultanate's national economy through the development of the local aviation sector and training of highly skilled graduated pilot, as well as its future role in meeting the needs of the Middle East for aviation professionals which is estimated at being more than 30,000 pilots over the next 20 years. The Academy is expected to attract more than 80 trainees each academic year from both local and regional pilots. CAE also expects to play an important role in marketing the Academy both regionally and globally through its global aviation training network.

The Academy will also play an important role in enhancing the operational role of Sohar Airport, attracting foreign investments and providing around 50 new direct jobs.

The Academy’s facilities will be built with capacity of 150 trainees. It will include Aircraft Hangar, student accommodation, tower and a taxiway. It will also 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.

The construction works will begin in the last quarter of 2017.
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