Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is set to commence cockpit crew training for the new Airbus A350 at the beginning of February. The training will utilize the state-of-the-art A350 full-flight simulator recently installed by Lufthansa Aviation Training Switzerland (LAT CH) at its Opfikon training facility. SWISS plans to train over 50 pilots on the new twinjet this year, marking a key milestone in the airline’s fleet modernization efforts. The first Airbus A350 is scheduled to enter revenue service this summer.
As part of its fleet renewal strategy, SWISS will introduce the first of ten brand-new Airbus A350-900 aircraft this year, replacing its aging Airbus A340-300 fleet. While the first A350 is being assembled at Airbus’s Toulouse facility, SWISS will launch pilot training in February using the highly advanced simulator at LAT CH near Zurich Airport. The simulator replicates the flight characteristics of the actual aircraft, ensuring seamless pilot transition.
“The Airbus A350 marks another major milestone for us at SWISS,” said Chief Operating Officer Oliver Buchhofer. “It underlines our commitment to investing in a state-of-the-art long-haul aircraft fleet and will enhance both efficiency and passenger comfort. The arrival of the A350 is also a significant moment for our pilots, as a new aircraft type represents both an exciting challenge and a key milestone in their careers. With the start of our A350 simulator training, we are laying the groundwork to integrate this advanced twinjet into our operations later this year.”
The new LAT CH Airbus A350 full-flight simulator will operate around the clock from February to ensure an adequate number of SWISS cockpit crews are trained by summer. More than 50 pilots will complete A350 simulator training this year, with approximately 90 additional pilots to be trained annually from 2026 onward.
Cabin crew members will also begin their A350 training at LAT CH in March. The necessary training mock-ups and equipment have already been installed at the Opfikon facility, with SWISS aiming to train around 1,800 cabin crew members for A350 service by the end of 2025.
“We’re very grateful that, with the addition of the Airbus A350, we can continue to train all our cockpit and cabin crew members at LAT’s Opfikon training center,” Buchhofer added. “This simplifies our planning and further strengthens the importance of this key local training facility.”
Source: Swifteradio.com
