TORONTO — Canada Jetlines is one step closer to launching its first flight in 2019 with the signing of an exclusive Airbus A320 pilot training agreement with CAE, a leader in global aviation training.

Starting in the first half of 2019, CAE instructors will train Jetlines’ pilots at CAE’s training centre in Montreal. In addition, pilots will have access – on-site and remotely – to advanced training material, leveraging Pelesys (a CAE company) for Airbus A320 comprehensive ground-school training solutions.

According to the airline, this holistic training solutions experience will reduce the time spent in the classroom and allow crews to be more productive.

On the importance of enlisting a Canadian company, Vic Charlebois, VP Flight Operations, Canada Jetlines, said: “I have long regarded CAE and Pelesys as premier providers of aviation training solutions. Jetlines is eager to support Canadian aviation and encourage growth in all of our industries. There are notable benefits to using a local Canadian company, one of which is the close collaboration to customize training programs for Jetlines’ procedures, another is keeping our costs down by having simulators locally accessible.”

The news comes one the heels of Jetlines’ completion of additional lease payments for two Airbus aircraft made earlier this month. The two Airbus A320s are set for delivery by early Q2 of 2019.