SriLankan International Aviation Academy expands to Maldives
EXPANSION: The International Aviation Academy (IAA), the training arm
of SriLankan Airlines, will shortly begin programmes in the Maldivian
capital, Male, a significant expansion of its services to the South
Asian region.
Diploma courses will initially be offered in two fields - Passenger
Handling Management; and Air Cargo; with a non-Diploma programme in
Dangerous Good Regulations. The Academy’s IATA-accredited instructors
will conduct classes in Male.
Manager Human Resources at SriLankan Airlines Sanjeeva Jayatilleke,
said: “This is an important step in the IAA’s vision of becoming the
premier centre for aviation-related learning in South Asia.
We view it as a natural progress since SriLankan has long been the
largest carrier in the Maldives, and actively promotes Sri Lanka and the
Maldives as dual destinations for global tourists, together with tourism
authorities in both countries.”
The IAA offers seven programmes for external students at its main
centre at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, a short
distance from the Sri Lankan capital Colombo.
Apart from the three courses offered in the Maldives, it has courses
in Aircraft Weight and Balance; ICAO 201 Flight Dispatcher Programme;
Baggage Handling; and Airline Cabin Crew Training.
Senior Executive Operations and Business Promotions at the IAA Fiona
Elias, said: “Up to now, youngsters in the Maldives who wanted to pursue
any type of career in aviation had to incur tremendous costs to travel
overseas for training, including airfare and accommodation. The IAA is
now bringing opportunities to their doorstep at a fraction of the cost
of similar programmes in Europe or Singapore.”
Participants are tested in different subjects at the end of each
module within each programme and receive Diplomas upon completion of the
entire course.
SriLankan, with a long tradition in aviation training, last year
launched the IAA to cater to the manpower requirements of airlines,
airports, travel agents, and other aviation industry organizations
throughout Asia and beyond.
The IAA has partnerships with many prestigious institutions such as
the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Asian Institute
of Technology, City and Guilds, Edexcel International, the Association
of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of
Management Accountants of the United Kingdom (CIMA-UK), and the
Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICA).
The IAA is also providing training for member organizations of the
Travel Agents’ Association of Sri Lanka, and the Sri Lanka Association
of Inbound Tour Operators.
Further details on the IAA’s programmes can be obtained at
www.srilankan.aero/IAA |