Aviation education provider Airways Aviation Group and Portugal's Omni Aviation Training Center (OATC) have signed a comprehensive strategic commercial partnership agreement.

The agreement will usher in a Portuguese alliance designed to enhance pilot training capacity and facilities for EASA ATPL and cabin crew training along with various airline cadet, MPL and military flight training programmes already being delivered across Europe. This also builds upon Airways Aviation's recent strategic acquisition of Patria Pilot Training.

“We have been assessing, negotiating and undertaking due diligence for some time and have concluded that Portugal is the ideal location for the next phase of our European expansion. As we link and leverage our global experience, advanced resources and existing facilities, we are very pleased to have found the right locations, facilities and partner in Omni,” says Romy Hawatt, founder and chairman of the Airways Aviation Group. 

The new alliance will be known as Airways Aviation Omni and operate from both Ponte de Sor and Cascais airports. Staged enhancements to both locations will commence in January with the delivery of new Diamond DA40 and DA42 aircraft in quick succession, with a total fleet of 10 units expected to be positioned between Cascais and Ponte de Sor over the coming four months.

“Teaming up with Airways Aviation will enable both partners to benefit from global recruitment channels, advanced flight training technologies, shared maintenance resources and new B2C and B2B marketing and business development activities. It also marks an exciting new chapter for Omni Aviation Training in an environment of ever-increasing demand for pilots, cabin crew and other aviation professionals,” remarks José Miguel Da Costa, chairman of the Omni Aviation Group.

Omni Aviation Training Center, part of the Omni Aviation Group, has a record for excellence and capacity in delivering quality aviation training in Portugal since 1989. Offering a comprehensive suite of pilot training and cabin crew courses, the new venture promises to significantly strengthen Portugal's aviation landscape. 

The partnership will increase training capacity by introducing enhanced facilities, a modern fleet of Diamond aircraft and a broader range of course offerings, helping to meet the soaring demand for new pilots and aviation professionals. At the same time, it will unite the impeccable safety and operational standards of both organisations under leading European ATO approvals. Serving new domestic and international markets, Airways Aviation Group's global reach will also attract international clients, solidifying Portugal's place firmly on the map as a premier aviation training destination.

“By combining Omni's longstanding local presence and expertise with Airways Aviation's global network and experience, we expect to expand training opportunities for pilots from Europe, Africa, the Middle East and beyond to train in Portugal. This will bolster regional employment, increase international student intake and expand training facilities, increase jobs in aviation, education and related support services,” concludes Alexandre Alves, global CCO of Airways Aviation Group and COO of Airways Aviation Europe.