Hadid International Services and Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise (IAE) have launched Intercontinental Aviation Academy GCC (IAA GCC) to meet growing demand for aviation training in the region. The academy will be based at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, offering a hands-on approach with high-performance training aircraft, advanced simulators and modern facilities.

IAA GCC's formation follows Hadid’s acquisition of a 50% stake in the academy, finalised at the Arab Aviation Summit 2025 in Saudi Arabia. The summit provided a platform to highlight IAA GCC’s role in aviation education.

“For over four decades, Hadid has been at the forefront of global flight support, facilitating seamless aviation operations worldwide,” says Mohamad Hadid, chairman of Hadid International Services. “Our investment in IAA GCC underscores our commitment to shaping the future of the industry.”

Wissam Mehyou, chairman of Intercontinental Aviation Enterprise, adds: “The demand for skilled flight crew, cabin crew, operations services and aviation management professionals continues to grow extraordinarily across the GCC region. Our collaboration ensures world-class training that strengthens our presence following successful operations in Lebanon and Cyprus.”

IAA GCC will introduce its training programmes in phases, with student registrations opening on 1 March 2025 and classes starting in September. Among its offerings is a first-of-its-kind corporate training programme in international flight support, leveraging Hadid’s global expertise. Further updates on the academy’s development will follow in the coming weeks.