Airways Aviation

What Airways Aviation does

Airways Aviation Group is a privately held, EASA-approved flight training organization operating the world's largest privately owned network of multidisciplinary aviation academies across nine countries on four continents (France, Italy, Portugal, Finland, Australia, UAE, India, Morocco, and Cabo Verde). Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Montpellier, France, the company delivers professional pilot training (ATPL, CPL, PPL, MPL, Flight Instructor Rating, ME-IR), cabin crew training, defence and security training for military personnel, aircraft maintenance technician programmes, and ground operations certifications under multi-jurisdictional regulatory frameworks (EASA, CASA, ICAO, CAAC, IATA, DGCA, GCAA, Part 145, Part 147).

The company's operational footprint comprises 100+ aircraft — including Europe's largest Diamond Aircraft fleet — and 15+ flight simulators, which the company states is the largest ALSIM fleet globally as of March 2025. Training delivery combines practical in-aircraft and simulator instruction with the proprietary AMELIA digital learning platform for theoretical knowledge. Airways Aviation also operates integrated degree-plus-licence pathways through university partnerships with Montpellier Business School, Griffith University, Southern Cross University, Atlântica University, UTA, and others.

Revenue is generated primarily through B2C tuition fees across multi-month to multi-year integrated and modular training programmes, supplemented by B2B airline cadet programmes with approximately 40 airline partners (including Air France, Qantas, Ryanair, Qatar Airways, EasyJet, Vueling, and Air Asia) and episodic government/defence contracts (notably a French Navy pilot training contract won in July 2024). Distribution is hybrid: direct website enrollment, a network of educational agents across Asia-Pacific, and airline-sponsored cadet pathways. The company is founder-controlled by Romy Hawatt (Founder and Chairman), with a leadership team that includes a combined COO/CCO (Alexandre Alves), a President for Europe (Captain Mauro Calvano), and a Regional Director for Australasia/Asia Pacific (Helena Tierney). No external private equity, venture capital, or parent company ownership is disclosed.

Name

Airways Aviation

Legal name

Airways Aviation Group

Website

https://airwaysaviation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Airways Aviation Group is a privately held EASA-approved flight training organization operating the world's largest privately owned multidisciplinary aviation academy network across 9 countries, training pilots, cabin crew, maintenance technicians, and military personnel using a 100+ aircraft fleet and 15+ simulators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Training Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services (THABAFAJ)

Keywords

• Pilot training services
• Aviation education
• Flight simulator training
• Airline cadet programs
• Aircraft maintenance training

Headquarters

HQ city

Montpellier

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Pilot Training Services: Professional pilot training programmes including ATPL, CPL, MPL, flight instructor ratings, and modular/integrated pathways. Revenue generated through course fees, simulator access, aircraft usage, and accommodation packages.
2. Cabin Crew Training: EASA, DGCA, and GCAA certified cabin crew training providing Safety & Emergency Procedures (SEP) training, Reality-Based Training (RBT), and attestation courses.
3. Defence & Security Training: Tailored military flight training for Air Force, Army, and Navy personnel, including cost-effective training customized to meet specific requirements. Also includes military cabin crew and maintenance technician training.
4. Maintenance & Ground Operations Training: Aircraft maintenance technician programmes and ground operations certificate courses including Part 145, Part 147, and various aviation safety courses.
5. Academic Partnership Programmes: Integrated degree programmes combining pilot licenses with Bachelor degrees in partnership with universities (Montpellier Business School, Griffith University, Southern Cross University, Atlântica University).

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Airways Aviation is a privately held global aviation education and training group operating EASA, CASA, DGCA, GCAA and ICAO approved training programmes across 9 countries. It delivers integrated and modular pilot training (PPL through ATPL, MPL, Flight Instructor Rating), cabin crew attestation, aircraft maintenance technician training, ground operations courses, and tailored military/defence flight training, supported by a 100+ aircraft fleet and 15+ flight simulators, with the AMELIA digital learning platform enabling online theoretical instruction.

Product overview

Airways Aviation is a global aviation education and training organization offering a multi-platform portfolio of products and services. The core offering includes pilot training programs (ATPL, CPL, PPL, MPL, Flight Instructor Rating, ME-IR Advanced Training) delivered across EASA and CASA certified academies in 9 countries. Supporting products include AMELIA, a digital learning platform for online theoretical training, Cabin Crew Training certified by EASA/DGCA/GCAA, Defence & Security Training for military personnel, and Maintenance Technician Training. The company operates the largest Diamond Aircraft training fleet in Europe with over 100 aircraft and 15+ simulators across global locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AMELIA: Airways Aviation's student learning platform - a global digital learning hub offering online self-paced courses, on-campus options, and group/school access for aviation education.

Products and services

• Pilot Training Programmes Comprehensive pilot training covering PPL, CPL, ATPL (integrated and modular), Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL), Flight Instructor Rating FI(A), and Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (ME-IR) under EASA, CASA, and ICAO frameworks for aspiring commercial airline pilots.
• Cabin Crew Training EASA, DGCA, and GCAA certified cabin crew training including Safety & Emergency Procedures (SEP), Reality-Based Training (RBT), and attestation courses for individuals seeking careers as airline cabin crew.
• Defence & Security Training Tailored military flight training solutions for Air Force, Army, and Navy personnel, including specialized mission training, type rating for military aircraft, and a pathway to EASA ATPL qualification upon completion, with cost-effective customization for national defence requirements.
• Aircraft Maintenance Technician Training EASA Part 147 approved aircraft maintenance training covering Part 145 maintenance, type ratings, and engine overhaul certifications (Lycoming, Continental, Diamond, Cessna, Beechcraft) for aspiring aircraft maintenance technicians.
• Ground Operations Training Certificate courses for ground handling, Safety Management Systems, dangerous goods handling, and airport operations certifications for individuals entering aviation ground operations roles.
• AMELIA Digital Learning Platform Proprietary global digital learning platform providing online self-paced courses, on-campus instruction, and group/school access with cohort setup, instructor support, and adaptive learning paths for aviation theory and pre-entry preparation.
• Airline Cadet Programmes Sponsored pilot training programmes run in collaboration with airline partners (Air France, Qantas, Ryanair, Qatar Airways, EasyJet, Vietjet, Philippine Airlines and others), providing a direct employment pathway with career support including interview preparation, simulator assessments, and airline readiness training.
• Integrated Academic Degree + Pilot Licence Programmes Integrated programmes combining EASA ATPL or CASA Commercial Pilot Licence with a Bachelor degree in aeronautical management, air transport management, or aeronautical engineering through partner universities (Montpellier Business School, Griffith University, Southern Cross University, Atlantica University, Universidade do Atlantico), enabling students to earn academic and professional aviation qualifications simultaneously.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trained 12,000+ commercial airline pilots and 30,000+ cabin, ground, and maintenance graduates globally
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers25 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• VietjetcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2025Strategic partnership announced October 2025 to develop new pilot training programmes. Vietjet is a major Vietnamese low-cost airline seeking to expand its pilot pipeline through Airways Aviation's training network.
• Atlântica UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 September 2025Partnership to launch integrated degree and ATPL programme. Combines EASA ATPL with BSc in Air Transport Management or BSc in Aeronautical Engineering at Atlântica University's Portugal campus.
• Philippine AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2025Partnership through PAL Aviation School to provide pilot training support for Philippine Airlines' cadet pipeline. Relaunch of PAL Aviation School with Airways Aviation expertise.
• MAPA (Morocco Aviation Private Academy)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Commercial partnership established January 2025 with MAPA, which holds Morocco DGAC approval for fixed and rotary wing flight training and EASA Part 147 maintenance training approval. Airways Aviation Maroc established August 2024.
• Asia Pacific Flight Training (APFT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 May 2023Strategic alliance with India's APFT to provide Indian students access to Airways Aviation's global training network. Includes Pilot Pathway Program with modular training phases from foundation through CPL/ATPL, with double qualification options including Bachelor degrees.
• Montpellier Business School (MBS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership offering Bachelor in Aeronautical Management combined with EASA ATPL. Students earn both university degree and professional pilot license through integrated programme in France.
• Griffith UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian university partnership offering Bachelor of Business combined with CASA-accredited Commercial Pilot License (CPL). Enables students to earn academic and professional aviation qualifications simultaneously.
• Southern Cross UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian university partnership offering Bachelor degree combined with CASA-accredited Commercial Pilot License (CPL). Alternative pathway for Australian pilot training with academic credentials.
• UTA - Universidade do Atlântico (Cabo Verde)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with UTA offering dual qualification with EASA ATPL and BSc in Civil Aviation Management and Planning. Supports Cabo Verde's goal to establish an aviation training cluster in West Africa.
• Diamond AircraftcoreTechnology or IntegrationDiamond Aircraft appointed Airways Aviation subsidiaries in France, Italy, and Finland as Official Authorised Training Centres. Partnership for eDA40 all-electric aircraft with Letter of Intent for 5 aircraft signed at Paris Airshow 2025.
• Elixir AircraftcoreTechnology or IntegrationLetter of Intent signed at Paris Airshow 2025 for acquisition of 16 4th generation Elixir training aircraft. Airways Aviation was first global flight training organization to sign LOI with Elixir in 2018.
• ALSIMcoreTechnology or IntegrationAirways Aviation operates the largest ALSIM fleet globally as of March 2025, including ALX, AL250, and AL200 MCC simulators plus DA42 FNPT II models. Multiple simulator purchases including 100th AL250 purchased by Airways Aviation Australia.
• CAE Defence & SecuritymajorTechnology or IntegrationCAE Defence & Security is a major simulation and training partner supporting European operations. Hosted Oktoberfest celebrations together in Montpellier.
• Dynamic Advanced Training (UAE)majorTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for cabin crew training facilities in Dubai utilizing advanced full-motion simulators and cutting-edge equipment. Students can complete practical training at Dubai facilities.
• FlightLoggermajorTechnology or IntegrationOnline scheduling and admissions partner providing training management systems. Information shared with Flight Logger for recruitment to courses with data stored in their system.
• TAFE QueenslandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian vocational education partnership providing pathways between TAFE qualifications and Airways Aviation aviation programmes.
• Halic University (Turkey)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTurkish university partnership for pilot training and aviation education launched in September 2022.
• University of Balamand (Lebanon)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLebanese university partnership for aviation education and training programmes.
• University of Southern QueenslandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian university partnership for aviation education providing degree pathways combined with pilot training.
• Institut Aéronautique Amaury de la GrangeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership signed January 2024 with French aviation institute for specialized training collaboration.
• AeroplannedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership announced May 2024 with Aeroplanned for expansion of pilot training services.
• CTH Training QualificationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAirways Aviation Australia became Approved Teaching Centre for CTH (Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality) Training Qualifications in August 2023, expanding vocational training offerings.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• CAE Inc. CAE is the world's largest civil aviation training company, operating full-flight simulators and crew training centres globally; comparable to Airways Aviation as it trains pilots, cabin crew and maintenance technicians for commercial and business aviation, though CAE also manufactures simulation devices and serves defence end-markets.
• FlightSafety International: FlightSafety International operates a global network of learning centres delivering pilot, maintenance and cabin crew training on advanced full-flight simulators; directly comparable to Airways Aviation's pilot training, cabin crew and maintenance offerings, although it focuses more on recurrent and type-rating training for corporate and airline operators.

Direct peers

• Lufthansa Aviation Training / European Flight Academy: Lufthansa Aviation Training's European Flight Academy is one of the largest integrated airline-sponsored pilot training organisations in Europe, comparable to Airways Aviation's integrated ATPL pathway, multi-base European training infrastructure, and dedicated cadet programme structure linked to a major airline group.
• BAA Training: BAA Training is a European-based flight training organisation operating bases in Lithuania and the UK with a significant fleet of training aircraft and simulators; it directly competes with Airways Aviation for ATPL cadets and airline-sponsored pilot training across Europe.
• FTEJerez: FTEJerez is an EASA-approved flight training organisation in Spain offering integrated ATPL and other pilot training programmes; comparable to Airways Aviation as a competing EASA-accredited European academy targeting international cadet pipelines.
• Pan Am International Flight Academy: Pan Am International Flight Academy offers pilot, cabin crew and maintenance training across multiple U.S. and international locations with partnerships to airlines; comparable to Airways Aviation in multi-discipline aviation training, multi-country operations and airline cadet pathway delivery.
• ATP Flight School: ATP Flight School is one of the largest Part 141 flight training organisations in the United States, operating a large training fleet and producing airline-bound pilots for U.S. carriers; directly comparable to Airways Aviation in pilot training scale, structured airline-readiness pathways, and high-volume cadet throughput.
• Airbus Flight Academy (formerly EFA): Airbus Flight Academy (formerly European Flight Academy/EFA) is an OEM-affiliated integrated ATPL training organisation with multiple European bases; comparable to Airways Aviation's integrated EASA pilot training, multi-base European footprint and airline cadet focus.

Regional players

• ANA Flight Training (All Nippon Airways): ANA Flight Training is the in-house pilot training arm of All Nippon Airways in Japan providing integrated cadet programmes; comparable in airline-sponsored pilot training model but operates primarily in the Japanese/Japan-Asia region, not overlapping geographically with Airways Aviation's European core.

Others

• TRU Simulation + Training: TRU Simulation + Training (a Textron Aviation subsidiary) designs and manufactures full-flight simulators and training devices used by flight schools including those running Piper and Beechcraft fleets; comparable to Airways Aviation as an ecosystem enabler for simulator-based flight training, though it is a supplier rather than a competing training academy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AirwaysAviation

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Airways Aviation