Airbus Opens UK Helicopter Training Academy to Address Skills Shortage
Airbus Helicopters has inaugurated a new training academy in Oxford, England, designed to train approximately 400 pilots, engineers, and technicians annually. This 12,000-square-meter facility aims to tackle the urgent shortage of skilled aviation professionals, a situation exacerbated by increased global demand and regulatory discrepancies between the UK and the EU. The academy offers a range of courses, including engineering type training, executive leadership, and pilot instruction. Richard Atack, managing director of Airbus Helicopters UK, emphasized the academy's role in supporting the UK's rotary-wing fleet and enhancing the country's aerospace competitiveness. Additionally, the UK National Police Air Service has ordered two more Airbus H135 helicopters as part of its fleet modernization, supported by funding from the UK Home Office. 
