Airbus and Singapore Airlines Boost Asia Pacific Aviation Training with New A220 Full-Flight Simulator in Singapore

Written By: Ricky Acharjee

Ricky Acharjee

I am travel writer at Travel And Tour World with 3 years of experience covering global tourism, aviation, hospitality, and destination news. Dedicated to accurate reporting and compelling storytelling, Ricky explores the trends, innovations, and developments shaping the international travel industry while delivering engaging insights for travellers and industry professionals.

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September 1, 2026 8:57 PM |

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Airbus Asia Training Centre (AATC), a partnership between Airbus and Singapore Airlines, is set to introduce an A220 Full-Flight Simulator (FFS) at its Singapore facility, creating a new regional training hub for the Asia Pacific aviation market.

The simulator is expected to begin operations in the fourth quarter of 2027, supporting the rising need for specialised pilot and maintenance training as airlines across the region expand their fleets with the next-generation A220 single-aisle aircraft.

The A220 training programme will be delivered through a collaboration with Flight Training Alliance (FTA), Airbus’ authorised A220 training provider, which is jointly established by CAE and Lufthansa Aviation Training (LAT). Under the partnership, FTA will provide and deploy the A220 Full-Flight Simulator, while AATC will oversee simulator operations and conduct training programmes.

The development was announced during the Asia Pacific Aviation Training Summit (APATS) 2026 held in Bangkok, Thailand, highlighting the region’s growing focus on advanced aviation skills development and next-generation aircraft training capabilities.

“Establishing A220 training capabilities in the region is a strategic enabler for Airbus’s growth footprint in Asia Pacific,” said Silvia Meloni, General Manager of Airbus Asia Training Centre. “The new A220 simulator will provide airline operators across the region with convenient access to world-class training, helping train their pilots closer to home while supporting the safe and efficient entry into service of their A220 fleet. We also anticipate an increase in training demand for the A220 as the aircraft programme continues to gain momentum in this region,” added Silvia.

As the A220 fleet continues to gain momentum across the Asia Pacific market, the introduction of a dedicated A220 Full-Flight Simulator in Singapore marks an important step in Airbus’ commitment to delivering advanced training solutions closer to its customers. The facility will help operators maintain the highest levels of safety, operational efficiency and fleet reliability by providing specialised training support within the region.

Airbus’ latest Global Market Forecast highlights a major shift in global aviation patterns over the next two decades, with urban growth increasingly moving towards smaller cities and creating demand for stronger regional connectivity beyond traditional major hubs. With a range of up to 3,600 nautical miles (6,700 kilometres), operating costs per seat that are 25% lower than previous-generation aircraft, and a flexible capacity of 100 to 160 seats, the A220 is positioned to help airlines launch new routes and develop commercially sustainable services across fast-growing economies in Asia and the Pacific.

By the end of July 2026, Airbus had delivered 532 A220 aircraft to more than 25 operators worldwide, while the programme’s total order book had exceeded 1,100 aircraft, reflecting growing global demand for the next-generation single-aisle aircraft.

Through their partnership, Airbus Asia Training Centre (AATC) and Flight Training Alliance (FTA) will provide a comprehensive range of A220 training services. These will include flight crew type-rating programmes, recurrent training courses, and support from a specialised team of certified A220 flight instructors and operations technicians.

Situated at Seletar Aerospace Park in Singapore, AATC is among the largest flight crew training facilities within the Airbus global network. The centre provides type-rating and recurrent training programmes for all Airbus aircraft currently in production and operates 10 Full-Flight Simulator bays. Its existing simulator fleet includes four A350 units, two A320 units, and one each for the A330 and A380. The facility also houses an ATR 72-600 Full-Flight Simulator, produced through the Airbus and Leonardo partnership.

In addition to its simulator capabilities, AATC operates six fixed cockpit training devices and extensive classroom infrastructure, allowing the centre to train up to 10,000 aviation professionals annually. The arrival of the A220 simulator will further strengthen Singapore’s role as a leading aviation training hub in the Asia Pacific region.