CAE Acquires Sabena Flight Academy

- Expands its ab-initio training capability
- Adds new type-rating training programs to European portfolio

(Montreal, Quebac, June 9, 2008) -- CAE has acquired Sabena Flight Academy for cash consideration in order to expand its ab-initio training capability and CAE Global Academy and to add new type-rating training programs in Europe.

Sabena Flight Academy (SFA) specializes in ab-initio pilot training as well as type-rating training for airlines. It operates an ab-initio flight academy equipped with approximately 40 aircraft in Mesa, Arizona, USA, and a six-simulator training centre in Brussels, Belgium. Sabena Flight Academy is a JAA- and JAR-approved Flight Training Organization (FTO) with 135 employees and more than 50 years of experience in professional pilot training.

"This strategic bolt-on acquisition is another step towards developing our training network in order to better address the global pilot shortage. It is also in support of our CAE Global Academy as it will bring our capacity to train cadets to more than 1,400 a year globally. The acquisition will also enhance CAE's ability to deliver type-rating training in Europe as it adds new training programs and an extensive range of new customers to our network," says Jeff Roberts, CAE's Group President, Innovation and Civil Training and Services.

"Sabena Flight Academy is a first-class operation with a solid management team and a proven track-record of profitability and customer service. Its Brussels training centre and the mix of its simulator fleet complement well our existing training network and our Brussels training centre," Jeff Roberts added. "It is a pleasure to welcome the leaders of SFA Jacques Waldeyer and Kris Van den Bergh to the CAE team. Jacques will lead all of our Brussels operations and Kris the flight training organization in Arizona and contribute to the leadership of our global ab-initio training operations."

Source : CAE

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