MAB Academy Aims To Be ASEAN’s leading Aviation Training COE
By Danni Haizal Danial Donald
SEPANG, May 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Aviation Group’s (MAG) training arm, MAB Academy Sdn Bhd, aims to become ASEAN’s leading centre of excellence (COE) for aviation, hospitality and professional training, offering hands-on programmes to develop a future-ready workforce.
Chief operating officer, Captain Mohamad Khairul Ahmad Jahudi said MAB Academy remains committed to investing in top-tier training facilities, strengthening pilot readiness while operating within a highly regulated industry.
“We believe (aviation) training should be realistic and immersive through simulations, role play, as well as scenario-based learning. At MAB Academy, we replicate real operational conditions to ensure trainees are fully prepared to perform confidently and effectively in actual environments.
“We also play a crucial role in the talent supply pipeline for the aviation industry, in view of the fast-growing Asia Pacific aviation industry,” he said.
He told reporters this during the Media Immersion Experience, themed ‘A Day in the Life of a Pilot', in conjunction with the World Pilot Day on April 26.
As of April 1, Malaysia Airlines and Firefly have a total of 1,375 active pilots based in Malaysia, comprising 1,349 line pilots and 26 management pilots, and MAB Academy plans to recruit a total of 144 cadet pilots this year.
Currently, the academy has 141 active cadet pilots undergoing training at flying schools across Malaysia, including Asia Aeronautical Training Academy in Johor, International Aero Training Academy in Melaka, BATS Aviation Sdn Bhd in Perak, and HM Aerospace Sdn Bhd in Kedah.
Established in 2024, MAB Academy serves as MAG’s COE for Learning and Development, offering more than 600 training courses and supported by a pool of 150 trainers.
The academy also provides training services to over 30 local and international airlines.
Meanwhile, speaking to Bernama, Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800 pilot Captain Joshua Bryan Bansh said that pilot training is a crucial part of every pilot’s journey, and MAB Academy continues to play an important role as a key partner in that development pathway.
“As pilots, we return regularly to renew our ratings and undergo recurrent training, and MAB Academy’s state-of-the-art facilities, from simulators to specialised safety training infrastructure such as door, pool, and fire trainers, ensure that we are consistently operating at the highest standards.
“The academy played a fundamental role in shaping my journey as an airline pilot -- particularly in the early stages -- by equipping me with a strong foundation in knowledge, technical competencies and discipline, before progressing into airline training and operations,” he added.
-- BERNAMA