Emirates has signed a contract worth over $14 million (C$15 million) with CAE of Montreal for the purchase and installation of a full-flight simulator.

The CAE 7000 Series Boeing 777-300ER full-flight simulator (FFS) will help support the airline’s flight training requirements for its fleet of Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, said a top Emirates official.

The deal also includes buyer-furnished data and equipment, he added.

The Dubai-based international airline, currently has a total of six FFSs for its Airbus and Boeing fleet.

Emirates Airline and Group chairman and chief executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum said the simulator will be installed in Emirates’ new crew training centre in May 2008, which will also house two other new CAE full-flight simulators dedicated to Airbus A380 aircraft training. 

'It will enable us to offer the flight crew the most advanced simulator training equipment as we continue to expand our fleet of 777 aircraft,” he observed.

Emirates currently operates 26 777-300ER aircraft, mainly on long-haul routes. At full passenger and cargo capacity, the aircraft can fly up to 9,815 km or easily non-stop between Dubai and New York. 

The airline has 33 more 777-300ERs on order in addition to 47 Airbus A380 double-decker aircraft, the first of which will be delivered in August 2008.

“Emirates is a long-time CAE customer and we are pleased the company continues to place its trust and confidence in CAE as its provider of the highest-quality simulation equipment to support pilot training programmes for the Emirates Group,” said Marc Parent, CAE’s Group President, Simulation Products and Military Training and Services. TradeArabia News Service