Qatar Aeronautical College

What Qatar Aeronautical College does

Qatar Aeronautical College, also known as Qatar Aeronautical Academy, is a Doha-based aviation training institution established in 1977 (originally as the Civil Aviation College of the Gulf States and renamed in 1996) that delivers ICAO- and EASA-aligned diploma and certificate programs for the aviation workforce. Its core academic portfolio spans pilot training (MPL, ATPL, CPL, and Flight Instructor ratings), Aircraft Maintenance Engineer training under EASA Part-66 (B1.2 and B2 categories), Air Traffic Control, Meteorology, Airport Operations Management, Flight Dispatcher, and a Foundation Program, complemented by ICAO short courses across nine subject areas.

The institution operates from a single campus on Ras Abu Abboud Street in the Al-Khulaifat district of Doha with 211 employees and deploys EASA-certified synthetic training devices including an A320 FFTX Fixed Base Simulator to support type-rating and advanced pilot instruction. It also runs an official IELTS Testing Centre in partnership with the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English, giving it exposure to high-volume language-testing demand beyond aviation.

Revenue is generated through a combination of academic program tuition, a 500 QAR non-refundable registration fee, IELTS test fees of 1,390 QAR per candidate, and ICAO short-course fees. The customer base is made up of individual students, predominantly aspiring pilots, maintenance engineers, air traffic controllers, meteorologists, airport operations staff, and flight dispatchers, with international admissions signaling reach across the Gulf region. Strategic positioning is reinforced by ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS Full Membership (achieved in December 2013), EASA Part-145 compliance, QCAA-approved programs, and alignment with Qatar's national Vision 2030 aviation development priorities.

Name

Qatar Aeronautical College

Legal name

Qatar Aeronautical Academy

Website

https://qaa.edu.qa

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Qatar Aeronautical College is a Doha-based, state-aligned aviation training institution delivering ICAO- and EASA-aligned diploma and certificate programs for pilots, maintenance engineers, air traffic controllers, meteorologists, and airport operations staff, serving regional and international students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Training and Education

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Regulatory, Compliance & Type Training (FAA/EASA/ICAO, Part 147/145) (EDAOAFAN), Aviation Security (AVSEC) Training (BPAKAOAM), Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services (THABAFAJ)

Keywords

• Aviation training services
• Pilot training programs
• Aircraft maintenance training
• Air traffic control training
• ICAO short courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Doha

HQ country

Qatar

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Academic Program Fees: Full-time approved courses for pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, air traffic controllers, meteorologists, airport operations management personnel, and flight dispatchers generate tuition-based revenue
2. Registration Fees: Non-refundable registration fees of 500 QAR charged to applicants
3. IELTS Testing Services: Approved IELTS testing center generating revenue from test fees including computer-delivered IELTS (1390 QAR), One Skill Retake (875 QAR), and ancillary services
4. ICAO Short Courses: Short training courses across nine key subject areas including Aerodromes, Air Navigation Services, Air Transport, Aviation Law, Environment, Flight Safety, Security, Training Competency Development, and Aviation Management

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Qatar Aeronautical College provides full-time approved aviation training courses for pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, air traffic controllers, meteorologists, airport operations management personnel, and flight dispatchers, alongside ICAO short courses across nine subject areas and IELTS English proficiency testing services. Training is delivered using EASA-certified synthetic training devices including an A320 FFTX Fixed Base Simulator.

Product overview

Qatar Aeronautical Academy offers a unified portfolio of aviation training products and services centered on full-time approved academic programs and short courses. The core offering includes pilot training (MPL, ATPL, CPL, FI ratings), aircraft maintenance engineer training (EASA B1.2, B2), air traffic controller training, meteorology, airport operations management, and flight dispatcher programs. The portfolio is supported by ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS short courses across nine subject areas and IELTS testing services. Training infrastructure includes EASA-certified synthetic training devices (A320 FFTX Fixed Base Simulator and procedural trainers) for comprehensive pilot training. The Foundation Program prepares students for specialized aviation majors. All programs align with ICAO standards and QCAA/EASA regulations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pilot Training Programs Full-time approved courses for pilots covering MPL (Multi-Crew Pilot License), ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License), CPL (Commercial Pilot License), and flight instructor ratings, delivered using EASA-certified synthetic training devices including the A320 FFTX Fixed Base Simulator.
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Training
• Air Traffic Controller Training
• Meteorology Training
• Airport Operations Management Training
• Flight Dispatcher Training
• Foundation Program
• ICAO Short Courses Wide range of ICAO training packages across nine key subject areas offered under the ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS Full Membership held since December 2013.
• IELTS Testing
• Synthetic Training Devices EASA-certified flight simulation training devices including A320 FFTX Fixed Base Simulator and procedural trainers for single-engine and multi-engine aircraft training.

Quantifiable outcome

• IELTS results available within 2-5 days for computer-delivered tests
• +1 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2013Qatar Aeronautical Academy became an ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS Full Member in December 2013 (Associate Member since November 2011). The program enhances training centers' competence in developing aviation personnel under ICAO's Global Aviation Training (GAT). As a member, QAA offers ICAO training packages across nine subject areas: Aerodromes, Air Navigation Services, Air Transport, Aviation Law, Environment, Flight Safety and Safety Management, Security and Facilitation, Training Competency Development, and Aviation Management.
• British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, Cambridge Assessment EnglishcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorQAA is an approved IELTS testing site operating under the global IELTS partnership network. IELTS is owned by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English. QAA serves as a local testing center offering computer-delivered IELTS tests and One Skill Retake options to candidates in Qatar.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Aviation Australia: Aviation Australia provides EASA-aligned aircraft maintenance and aviation training for the Asia-Pacific region. It is comparable to QAA in offering EASA-aligned maintenance engineer training and ICAO-style short courses, though focused on the Australian/Asia-Pacific corridor.
• Jordan Academy of Aviation: Jordan Academy of Aviation is a regional flight training organization offering pilot and technician training in the Levant. It is comparable to QAA as a regionally focused aviation academy, though it operates in a different geography and lacks QAA's ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS Full Member breadth.

Broad incumbents

• FlightSafety International: FlightSafety International (a Berkshire Hathaway company) is a premier provider of professional aviation training with extensive simulator infrastructure. It competes with QAA for high-end pilot and maintenance training across the region.
• Lufthansa Aviation Training: Lufthansa Aviation Training offers integrated pilot, cabin crew, and maintenance training across European and Middle Eastern markets. It is comparable to QAA as a multi-discipline aviation training institution with regulatory-grade simulator assets.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Embry-Riddle is a globally recognized aeronautical university offering degree-based aviation education and pilot training. It is comparable to QAA as a comprehensive aviation education provider spanning pilot, maintenance, and ATC-adjacent curricula.
• CAE: CAE is the world's largest civil aviation training provider with a global network of full-flight simulators and pilot training centers. It is the dominant incumbent that QAA competes against for type-rating and advanced pilot training work in the Middle East.

Direct peers

• Singapore Aviation Academy: Run by Singapore's CAAS, the Singapore Aviation Academy delivers ICAO-aligned training packages, air traffic services training, and aviation management courses. It is one of the closest direct peers to QAA as a government-backed, ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS-affiliated aviation training institution in Asia.
• Turkish Airlines Aviation Academy: Turkish Airlines Aviation Academy provides pilot, cabin crew, and technical training for one of the region's largest carriers, with ICAO-aligned short courses. It is comparable to QAA as an airline/government-supported training academy covering the full aviation professional stack.
• Etihad Training Academy: Etihad Training Academy (Abu Dhabi) delivers pilot, cabin crew, and ground operations training for Etihad Airways and third-party customers. It is a direct regional peer competing with QAA for UAE/Gulf airline training contracts.

Emerging players

• Alpha Aviation Academy: Alpha Aviation Academy is an emerging flight training organization with operations in the Philippines and the Middle East. It is comparable to QAA as a cadet-to-ATPL pilot training provider competing for similar international student segments.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/qatar-aeronautical-college

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Qatar Aeronautical College