Gulf Aviation Academy (GAA), a fully owned subsidiary of Mumtalakat Holding Company was established in 2009 to train young Bahrainis to become commercial pilots. GAA is the first aviation academy to be based in Bahrain.
The first initiative of GAA was the High Flyer Program, an intensive training course that will qualify Bahraini graduates with no previous flying experience, and have demonstrated the unique qualities needed to become an internationally certified commercial pilots.
The first batch of cadets commenced their training in 2009. These cadets are the first of 100 Bahrainis who will have the opportunity to become a commercial pilot through a joint initiative with Mumtalakat, Bahrain Development Bank ‘BDB’, Tamkeen (Labour Fund) and is run by the GAA.
Starting from October 2009 the cadets spent the majority of their time in Oxford Aviation Academy, England to complete the internationally certified commercial pilot training programme. Once the two year programme is complete, GAA will support the cadets in their job search both in Bahrain and across the region.
Bahrain is working to become a regional centre for aviation. Air transport infrastructure is of strategic importance to Bahrain due to the Kingdom’s geographical location and it will help drive economic growth for the country in the future. The programme will help to supply the country’s future demand for Bahraini trained commercial pilots as it develops its air transport infrastructure.