Airways Aviation is opening foundation schools in key aviation hubs Bangkok and Jakarta to support the fast-growing Asian aviation industry with high-quality training, screening and recruitment.

Airways Aviation has partnered with licensees SkyVenture in Bangkok, Thailand, and Jakarta Aviation Training Centre (JATC), Indonesia, to deliver commercial pilot ground training courses and pilot and cabin crew recruitment solutions. The schools bolster the company's expansive global network of foundation schools and aviation academies, from Oxford, United Kingdom, to Brisbane, Australia.

The announcement comes as the aviation industry pushes to keep pace with global economic expansion, hampered by an increasing pilot shortage. The Boeing 2015 Pilot and Technician Outlook predicts more than 220,000 pilots will be required in Asia over the coming 20 years, close to half of the 550,000 pilots needed worldwide.

Aaron McDonald, Airways Aviation regional manager - Asia, says: "There is a mounting challenge in Asia not just to address the sizable pilot shortage, but to train and recruit quality pilots locally. Working with SkyVenture and JATC, who share Airways Aviation's values and vision, we will support the local industry with global insights tailored to regional markets, reducing the economic outlay of recruiting from overseas. This move confirms our presence as a reliable, reputable supplier of high-quality training solutions to Asia's airlines."

As well as providing aviation foundation courses, ground training and pilot screening at both locations, the Bangkok facility features a full cabin replica for cabin crew screening, training and recruitment. It is the second cabin crew training facility provided by Airways Aviation in Asia, following the opening of its foundation school in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in February, which also offers cabin crew preparatory training courses.

Airways Aviation has a strong portfolio of pilot training academies and foundation school across the globe, including EASA certified schools in the UK and Spain, and CASA and EASA certified schools in Australia. The new foundation schools will add to Airways Aviation's existing Asia-Pacific network already established in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Osaka, Japan; and Beijing, China. Another 10 academies throughout the Asia Region are planned to open during 2016, with around 20 more across the globe.

Contributed by Airways Aviation