Boeing and Korean Air Break Ground on New Training Facility

Boeing participated in a groundbreaking ceremony with Incheon and Korean Air on Monday, for construction of Korea's largest new aviation training facility to be located in Incheon's Free Economic Zone (IFEZ).

The new campus, which is slated to open in 2015, will allow Boeing to expand the scope of its training business in Korea and continue its long-standing training relationship with Korean Air.

"Boeing is very pleased to participate in the continuous development of Incheon's Free Economic Zone with this project to expand aviation training capabilities in Korea," said Sherry Carbary, vice president, Boeing Flight Services. "Boeing and Korean Air have a training relationship spanning almost 15 years. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Korean Air as we together to develop advanced aviation training programs from a new base in Incheon."

The facility, once complete, will house 12 full-flight simulators for pilot training programs supporting Korean Air's flight training needs.

"Today's ceremony marks yet another milestone in our mutually beneficial 40-year relationship with Korean Air," said Pat Gaines, president of Boeing Korea. "This new training facility truly demonstrates Boeing's leading role in enhancing Korea's commercial aviation industry and we look forward to growing our local footprint in Korea."

Once the campus is complete, Boeing will relocate its existing training support staff and equipment to the new facility. Boeing will continue to provide all simulator training and pilot checking, as well as continued involvement in Korean Air's program development, quality assurance and training operations scheduling.

The 2013 Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook, an industry forecast of aviation personnel demand, calls for 192,300 new commercial airline pilots and 215,300 new technicians in the Asia Pacific region through 2032. Northeast Asia, including Korea, will need 18,500 pilots and 25,500 technicians. See also: HD Video: Boeing to launch new aircraft, Asia Pacific forecasts and more.