International training and systems giant CAE has bought Oxford Aviation Academy (OAA), including the flight training facilities at Moorabbin Airport in Melbourne.
The Canadian company bought the UK-based OAA for $313 million, adding seven new flight training schools to their network, for a new total of 42 schools world-wide.
Marc Parent, CAE's President and CEO said the acquisition will be good for customers.
"We are very excited about this acquisition as it enables us to offer our customers more locations and additional training capacity as well as a new service for pilot and maintenance crew sourcing. We have greatly enhanced CAE's industry-leading position with the addition of two of the industry's strongest brands in Ab-Initio aviation training and crew sourcing: Oxford Aviation Academy and Parc Aviation. Civil aerospace market fundamentals are strong and we are increasing our position at an opportune time. With this acquisition, CAE responds to market demand with an increased footprint and a complete end-to-end solution for commercial aviation."
Started as Canadian Aviation Electronics in 1947, CAE has grown significantly and branched into flight training and simulation services for both civil and military operators. Acquiring CAE will:
- Add seven new civil aviation training centres offering pilot, maintenance and cabin crew training to its global network for a total of 42 civil training locations worldwide
- Add 40 full-flight simulators for a total of 211 full-flight simulators
- Adds four flight academies with a capacity to train over 600 cadets annually, for a total CAE-operated network of 12 flight schools with a capacity to train 1,500 cadets annually.
- Broaden the CAE portfolio by extending into pilot and maintenance crew sourcing through Parc Aviation, which currently provides 1,200 aviation personnel on assignment to 50 airlines and leasing companies in 40 countries, primarily in Asia.
OAA centres operated by CAE will be rebadged as CAE Oxford Aviation Academy.