Aer Lingus invests in three new full-flight simulators at Simtech Aviation

Simtech Aviation, a leading European Approved Training Organisation (ATO), will expand its Dublin facility with three new full-flight simulators (FFSs) for Aer Lingus, marking the airline’s largest pilot training investment in over two decades.

The addition will position Simtech Aviation as Ireland’s largest full-motion simulator training centre and increase its capacity to train pilots across Airbus, Boeing, and ATR aircraft.

The A320 CEO/NEO and A330 CEO/NEO simulators are scheduled to enter service in early 2026, followed by the A321XLR simulator in early 2027. This expansion supports both recurrent training and type rating courses for EASA and UK CAA cadets, offering airlines and flight schools enhanced flexibility and training throughput.

Aer Lingus executives including COO Adrian Dunne and Captain Brian O’Sullivan attended the announcement, alongside Simtech Aviation’s Captain Sé Pardy, affirming the collaborative commitment to pilot training excellence. Simtech Aviation, founded in 2001, has trained over 5,500 student pilots and works with airlines and flight schools across Ireland, the UK, and Europe.

Existing training assets at the Dublin facility will complement the new simulators, including ATR 500 and ATR 600 full-flight simulators and a fixed-base Boeing 737-800NG simulator. The A320 simulator’s availability is set to increase from mid-2026, enabling expanded pilot assessment activity and future training programmes.

The investment reinforces Ireland’s standing as a hub for aviation training and addresses growing industry demand for highly skilled pilots capable of operating next-generation aircraft across multiple fleets.

Explore the full details of Simtech Aviation’s expansion and Aer Lingus’s pilot training strategy by reading the complete article.

(Photo credits to Simtech Aviation)