National, March 19, 2024: (NYSE: CAE; TSX: CAE) – CAE today announced that it has signed a long-term agreement with Akasa Air, India’s fastest growing airline, to provide Boeing 737MAX pilot training at CAE’s facilities in India. Akasa Air will leverage CAE’s best-in-class training facilities, trainers and latest generation full-flight simulators for the next 15 years, fulfilling the airline’s commitment to develop the world’s best-trained pilots who meet the highest training standards. The partnership is also a game changer for the Indian aviation industry which will require a strong force of highly skilled aviators to drive its growth.

CAE has trained Akasa Air pilots since the start of the airline’s operations in 2022, providing world-class infrastructure and a rigorous and immersive simulation training curriculum that enables them to meet superior levels of proficiency.

“We are pleased to further cement our partnership with CAE, one of the world’s leading pilot training technology providers. Akasa Air is built on a strong foundation of reliability and practices the highest standards of safety and precision in global aviation. Our approach to learning and development is rooted in developing a future-ready workforce to gain a competitive advantage in the dynamic aviation landscape. As we receive a substantial influx of aircraft in the coming decade, this partnership will provide us access to the world’s best training facilities for the next 15 years and will help us build a team of highly experienced and skilled pilots, as we continue our commitment of becoming one of the world’s safest airlines.”

Vinay Dube, Founder and CEO, Akasa Air

“This long-term agreement is a testament to the quality of the pilot training we deliver and the strong relationship we have built with Akasa in a relatively short time,”  “In the fast-growing Indian aviation sector, CAE has the infrastructure and resources to support the expansion of airline partners, like Akasa Air, in the region.”

Nick Leontidis, CAE’s Group President, Civil Aviation

CAE has a long and significant presence in India, operating 13 state-of-the-art simulators in three commercial aviation training centres and delivering essential pilot training and training services to airlines in India. Last year, CAE became a Boeing Authorized Training Provider for Boeing’s Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) curriculum in India.

CAE shares Akasa Air’s commitment to sustainable operations. In 2020, CAE became the first carbon-neutral Canadian aerospace company, reducing its emissions and investing in projects that offset residual annual carbon emissions for its global operations, including in India.

About Akasa Air:

Akasa Air is India’s most dependable airline, offering warm and efficient customer service, reliable operations, and affordable fares – all in the Akasa Way. Akasa’s youthful personality, employee-centric philosophy, tech-led approach, and culture of service makes this commitment a reality for all Indians. The carrier launched its first commercial flight on 07 August 2022 to support the growing demand across India, currently operating 23 737 MAX aircraft connecting 20 cities across India.

Akasa Air makes its foray into international skies starting 28 March 2024, flying non-stop from Mumbai to Doha, becoming the first Indian airline to fly overseas in a record period of just 19 months since its inception.

With a clear focus on sustained, long-term growth, Akasa Air has placed a firm order of 226 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes, powered by CFM fuel-efficient, LEAP-1B engines. It currently operates 23 737 MAX aircraft which delivers superior efficiency in reducing fuel use and carbon emissions. The aircraft also powers a quieter cabin with 40 percent lesser noise fulfilling the airline’s promise of being an environmentally progressive company with the youngest and greenest fleet in the Indian skies.

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