CAE, a global leader in aviation training, has officially inaugurated its first Central European flagship business aviation training centre in Vienna. The state-of-the-art facility, operational since April 2025, significantly enhances Europe’s pilot training capacity and supports the growing demand for skilled aviation professionals.
Expanded Training Capabilities
The CAE Vienna training centre currently offers pilot training on four aircraft platforms:
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Gulfstream G550
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Bombardier Global 7500
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Embraer Phenom 100/300 (through the Embraer CAE Training Services joint venture)
The centre’s growth continues, with a Bombardier Challenger 3500 full-flight simulator (FFS) scheduled to be ready in October 2025. A Pilatus PC-24 simulator will be deployed by mid-2026, further broadening CAE’s training portfolio.
Addressing Europe’s Aviation Talent Needs
Alexandre Prévost, CAE’s Division President for Business Aviation, highlighted the strategic importance of CAE Vienna:
“The inauguration of CAE Vienna ushers in a new era for business aviation in Europe, adding critical training capacity and making a broad portfolio of training programs more accessible than ever. According to CAE’s Aviation Talent Forecast, Europe’s business aviation industry will require 7,000 new pilots and 9,000 new maintenance technicians over the next decade. With the ability to train thousands annually, CAE Vienna is ideally positioned to meet that demand.”
Strategic Boost for Austria
Austrian Federal Minister for Economy, Energy and Tourism, Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, praised the centre’s economic and strategic impact:
“With CAE Vienna, we are sending a strong signal for Austria as a hub for aviation, business, and innovation. This training centre not only creates highly qualified jobs and local investment but also strengthens our global competitiveness. Aviation is a key sector in shaping the future, and Austria is determined to be part of it.”
Industry Impact
The launch of CAE Vienna represents a milestone in Central European aviation, reinforcing Vienna’s role as a strategic hub for pilot training, aviation safety, and innovation. With advanced simulators and expanded capacity, the centre is set to play a critical role in addressing the aviation talent gap while supporting business aviation operators across Europe.
