The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport announced today that International Air Transport Association (IATA) will start, as early as January, two training courses at the Azores Aviation Training Centre (CFAA). These courses are targeted at SATA's employees, "but they will also be open to other entities."

Vítor Fraga stressed that the training courses provided by IATA, the association that regulates commercial air transport, are "a very important step as they are mandatory. In this regard, these courses can bring new business opportunities to SATA and to the Region, thus actively contributing to the growth of Santa Maria's economy.

Speaking at the opening of the Initial Training Course for Cabin Crew, the Secretary for Transport stressed that "both courses are the result of the efforts undertaken with IATA in order to turn this training centre into a IATA Training Regional Centre.

According to the Regional Secretary, the certification of this training centre will allow it "to provide courses to a wide range of air companies operating throughout the world," which will enhance the visibility of CFAA in this field so that it may continue to excel in aviation training and grow over time."

Vítor Fraga spoke at the opening of the first course taught by CFAA to external entities and addressed to the 20 students attending the training course, highlighting that this course was in high demand.

"You are the 20 best of those who have applied for the course, but there are still many people who want to do this course and develop their skills," noted the government official.

In this context, the Regional Secretary announced that "a new course will open in the first semester of next year and there will be another group of 20 youngsters who will also acquire new skills and will be prepared to enter into the labour market."

In addition, Vítor Fraga underlined that the provision of the new courses by CFAA only became possible due to the fact that SATA was certified as a training entity on November 7, 2013.

"Less than a month later, we are taking a step towards the goal we want to reach, which is to turn this Training Centre not only into a tool at the service of Grupo SATA, but also into a tool at the service of the Region.
 
Hence, we will be able to create a true culture of excellence in order to market our training courses abroad and strive in an increasingly competitive world," said the Regional Secretary.