Al-Jazeera Trains Next Generation of Pilots in Collaboration with 'BAA Training'

- Comprehensive 18-month training program for the Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL)

- Ayman Al-Shamari: Our partnership with BAA Training strengthens our talent pool to support the expansion of our fleet and destinations

- Marius Rafavitis: We are pleased to be the official training partner of Kuwait’s largest private airline

- Abdulnasser Al-Mutairi: Training pilots according to Jazeera’s strict standards for safety and operational excellence

BAA Training has entered into a partnership with Jazeera Airways, the leading low-cost carrier in Kuwait, to deliver a comprehensive training program for the Integrated Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL Integrated), supporting Jazeera’s growing needs for pilot training and qualification.

Under the partnership, BAA Training will provide an 18-month integrated training program leading to the ATPL, including Crew Resource Management (CRM) training for two cohorts of trainee pilots.

The first cohort began their training in August 2026 at BAA Training’s facilities in Lleida-Alguaire, Spain.

The partnership comes as Jazeera prepares for its next phase of growth, driven by the expansion of its fleet and route network.

With the addition of new single-aisle aircraft to the fleet as part of the company’s growth plans, demand for qualified and highly competent pilots is expected to rise significantly in the coming years.

Jazeera’s Chief Operations Officer, Captain Ayman Al-Shamari, said: “As Jazeera enters its next phase of growth, preparing a new generation of qualified and job-ready pilots is a top priority for us. Our partnership with BAA Training helps strengthen the talent pool we need to support the expansion of our fleet and route network, while providing trainee pilots with high-quality training tailored to airline requirements. This investment not only enhances our future operational capabilities but also invests in the competencies that will play a key role in continuing Jazeera’s growth.”

The ATPL Integrated program is designed to deliver competency-based training, ensuring that trainee pilots master the technical skills and core competencies required to conduct flight operations safely and efficiently.

The training pathway includes theoretical knowledge instruction, flight training on single-engine and multi-engine aircraft, and a Crew Resource Management (CRM) program using a Level 2 Flight Training Device (FTD) for the Airbus A320. The program helps bridge the gap between initial pilot training and advanced training stages, such as Type Rating training.

BAA Training’s Chief Executive Officer, Marius Rafavitis, said: “Airlines like Jazeera are experiencing strong growth in the region, and the demand for qualified pilots is increasing at an accelerating pace. We are pleased to be the official training partner of Kuwait’s largest private low-cost airline and to support Jazeera during this growth phase. This partnership is an important step in strengthening our position as a trusted provider of pilot training in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.”

Jazeera’s Head of Training, Captain Abdulnasser Al-Mutairi, said: “Choosing the right training partners is essential to building a strong foundation of skilled, qualified, and job-ready pilots for Jazeera Airways in the future.”

ATPL Integrated, offered by BAA Training and supported by an integrated Crew Resource Management (CRM) training component, provides trainee pilots with a structured program designed to meet airline requirements from the very beginning of their training journey.

Through this 18-month program, we prepare pilots who possess the necessary technical, professional, and operational competencies to meet Gulf Air’s stringent standards for safety and operational excellence.

Based on Boeing’s forecasts and typical flight training requirements of approximately 200 hours per pilot, training more than 23,000 new pilots in the Gulf region will require around 5 million training hours. This reflects the expected demand for pilot training programs and the need to support independent training academies capable of delivering large-scale training. The agreement enhances BAA Training’s position as a trusted global partner in preparing and qualifying first officers for future careers with airlines, while underscoring both parties’ commitment to helping meet the growing demand for qualified flight crews to the highest international standards in the coming years.