Saudi Gazette report

DAMMAM – The first batch of OxfordSaudia planes arrived here recently. This is part of the 60 Diamond aircraft requisitioned to train aviation techniques to young Saudi men and women.

The planes were received by CEO of Oxford Aviation Academy Captain Lawrence Wed, academy trainees and officials of King Fahd International Airport.

“Receiving this batch of aircraft is part of the schedule for handing over and checking the planes, under the supervision of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), which is participating with us in conducting the necessary tests on these aircraft before allowing them to fly to the Kingdom. The arrival of 12 aircraft will be complete by the end of next month,” Oxford Aviation Academy chief Capt. Othman Al-Mutairi was quoted as saying by Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

He added: “With this step we are proving that the private sector will lead the aspired change in the quality of services provided by the state, as one of the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Meanwhile, the state’s role is restricted to the legislative and regulatory aspects, along with opening the way before the private sector and removing the obstacles on its way, so that it is able to provide services and compete to raise the standard of services. Aviation is the backbone of communications and transport in the Kingdom — the biggest country in the Mid-East — in terms of area and as the biggest economy. Therefore, secondary school graduates in Saudi Arabia have the opportunity to make the best out of the growth of the aviation industry and enroll in specializations that were not available anywhere in the Kingdom.”

Drawing upon over 75 years of pilot training expertise, OxfordSaudia's training programs provide focused ab initio training to aspiring pilots across Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Its unique CPL program starts with a foundation year followed by a premier ground school course with high-quality flying instruction delivered in accordance with GACA requirements.

The only academy in the world to offer training for Airbus A320 as part of its main training program, the institution makes its graduates the first choice for all airlines.