Training & Certification
Alaska Airlines Opens Global Training Center in Renton Washington
Alaska Airlines launches a $200M Global Training Center in Renton with simulators and facilities for combined Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines crews.

This article is based on an official press release from Alaska Airlines.
Airlines Unveils State-of-the-Art Global Training Center in Renton
On January 30, 2026, Alaska Airlines officially opened the doors to its new Global Training Center in Renton, Washington. The 660,000-square-foot facility marks a significant operational milestone for the carrier, representing a reported investment of approximately $200 million. For the first time in the airline’s 95-year history, all frontline workgroups, including pilots, flight attendants, and customer service agents, will undergo training under a single roof.
Located on a 19-acre campus at Longacres, the facility is a repurposed aviation asset formerly owned by Boeing. According to the company’s announcement, the center is designed to serve as the central training hub for the newly integrated workforce of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, following their operational merger. The opening aligns with the “Alaska Accelerate” strategic plan, which aims to unify the culture and safety standards of the combined brands.
A Unified Hub for Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines
The primary strategic driver behind the new facility is the integration of Hawaiian Airlines. With the two carriers now operationally linked under a Single Operating Certificate, the Global Training Center allows for side-by-side training of crews from both airlines. While the Renton facility serves as the global headquarters for training, the airline noted that operations will be supported by existing facilities in Honolulu, maintaining a hybrid model to accommodate the Hawaii-based workforce.
Jason Berry, Chief Operating Officer of Alaska Airlines, emphasized the cultural importance of the shared space in a statement regarding the opening:
“The Global Training Center is spectacular and worthy of our amazing frontline employees. This is the first time in our nearly 95-year history that employees across frontline workgroups will train under the same roof. I’m looking forward to this space being used by thousands of employees to build on our culture of safety, performance and care.”
Advanced Aviation Technology and Infrastructure
The facility has been outfitted with high-volume, multi-disciplinary training equipment designed to simulate real-world scenarios for various departments. According to details released by the airline, the center houses 10 full-motion flight simulators. This includes a new Boeing 787 simulator, critical for the combined fleet’s expanded long-haul operations, alongside nine Boeing 737 simulators.
In-Flight and Ground Operations
Beyond the flight deck, the center features extensive resources for cabin crew and ground staff. The facility includes five mock-up aircraft bays for safety and service protocols, four aircraft door trainers, and a fully functional aircraft galley. To support customer service training, the building features a mock airport lobby and gate area, allowing agents to practice check-in and boarding procedures in a realistic environment.
Campus Amenities and Design
The renovation of the former Boeing building focused on adaptive reuse, a strategy the airline states significantly reduced the carbon impact compared to new construction. The interior design reflects a “Pacific Northwest” aesthetic, utilizing timber and natural light. To support employee wellbeing, the campus includes a fitness center, a one-mile outdoor walking trail, and social spaces designed to mimic the aesthetic of Alaska’s airport lounges.
AirPro News Analysis
The consolidation of training facilities into the Longacres campus represents a strategy pivot for Alaska Airlines. By moving away from scattered training locations, the airline is likely seeking to streamline the complex logistics of managing a larger, post-merger workforce. The inclusion of a Boeing 787 simulator is particularly notable; it signals the airline’s commitment to integrating the widebody aircraft inherited from Hawaiian Airlines into its broader operational structure, rather than keeping the fleets entirely segregated.
Furthermore, the choice to renovate an existing aerospace facility in Renton, historically the heart of Boeing’s 737 production, keeps the airline’s training footprint geographically close to its Seattle-Tacoma hub and corporate headquarters. This proximity is expected to reduce travel friction for Pacific Northwest-based crews while offering a centralized destination for those commuting from other bases.
Sources
Sources: Alaska Airlines Newsroom
Photo Credit: Alaska Airlines
Training & Certification
CPaT Global Partners With Nippon Cargo Airlines for 747-8 Training
CPaT Global will provide digital pilot training solutions to Nippon Cargo Airlines, covering approximately 200 Boeing 747-8 crew members.

Aviation training provider CPaT Global has secured a partnerships with Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) to supply digital pilot training solutions for the Japanese freight operator’s Boeing 747-8 freighter crews.
In a press release issued on September 1, 2026, CPaT Global confirmed the agreement will support approximately 200 pilots. The partnership provides NCA with a centralized digital learning environment that integrates CPaT’s proprietary courseware with the airline’s existing training resources.
Digital Integration for Flight Crews
Under the agreement, NCA will utilize the CPaT Learning Management System (LMS) alongside the developer’s General Subjects courseware. The airline will also implement CPaT Invent and Certificate Builder. These tools allow the operator to incorporate SCORM-compatible third-party content into a single training system.
“We are proud to welcome Nippon Cargo Airlines as a CPaT training partner and expand our support for the aviation community in Japan,” said Capt. Greg Darrow, Vice President of Sales at CPaT Global.
Darrow added that the selection demonstrates the flexibility required by airlines from modern learning platforms, noting the company’s intent to build further relationships with operators throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Corporate Restructuring Under ANA Holdings
The training partnership follows a period of significant corporate transition for the Narita-headquartered cargo airline, which was established in 1978. On August 1, 2025, ANA Holdings Inc. finalized its acquisitions of NCA.
According to reporting by CargoForwarder Global, ANA Holdings initiated a strategic reorganization on April 1, 2026, to merge its separate freight units, including NCA, NCA Japan, and ANA Cargo. Under this restructuring, NCA continues as the operating arm and maintains its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to fly its fleet of eight Boeing 747-8 freighters.
AirPro News analysis
We view NCA’s investment in a new digital training infrastructure as a practical step to ensure operational continuity during its integration into the broader ANA Group. By adopting a centralized LMS while retaining its distinct AOC, the cargo operator can standardize recurrent training for its 747-8 crews without disrupting its specialized freight operations.
Sources: CPaT Global
Photo Credit: CPaT Global
Training & Certification
Acron Aviation CTS Signs Boeing 737 Training Deal With ASL Australia
Acron Aviation CTS secures preferred supplier agreement for Boeing 737 Type Rating training with ASL Airlines Australia through 2028.

Acron Aviation Commercial Training Solutions (CTS) has secured a multi-year preferred supplier agreement to provide Boeing 737 Type Rating training for ASL Airlines Australia through the end of 2028.
Announced in a September 2, 2026, press release, the contract formalizes a long-term training pipeline following an initial program completed in the first half of 2026. The instruction will continue to be delivered at the CTS London Training Centre.
Tailored Boeing 737 Training Curriculum
The agreement encompasses comprehensive Boeing 737 Type Rating instruction and includes provisions for Airline Pilot Standards Multi-Crew Cooperation (APS MCC) training. A key component of the curriculum is the integration of ASL Airlines Australia’s specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). This tailored approach is designed to ensure pilots transition directly into line operations upon completion of the simulator phases.
Captain Nathan Burkitt, Head of Training and Checking for Flight Operations at ASL Airlines Australia, stated that trainee feedback on the initial courses has been highly favorable.
“Feedback from our trainees on the course, facilities, instructors and overall training environment has been overwhelmingly positive, with particular praise for the instructors’ professionalism, knowledge and commitment to helping every pilot succeed,” Burkitt said.
Corporate Transition and Future Operations
The finalization of this training contract occurs during a period of corporate restructuring for the training provider. On August 26, 2026, parent company Acron Technologies announced a definitive agreement to divest its Commercial Training Solutions business to FlightSafety International (FSI). That transaction includes the Training Systems, Training Services, and Aviation Academy portfolios, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Despite the pending acquisition, CTS leadership emphasized operational continuity and customer focus. Patrick Davis, Vice President and General Manager of the London Training Centre for Acron Aviation CTS, noted the agreement reflects the airline’s confidence in the facility’s instructional quality.
“We’re delighted that ASL Airlines Australia has extended its partnership with Acron Aviation and selected us as a preferred supplier for Boeing 737 Type Rating training through to the end of 2028,” Davis said.
AirPro News analysis
We view the timing of this multi-year agreement as a positive indicator for the impending integration of the CTS business into FlightSafety International. Securing a guaranteed training pipeline through 2028 provides immediate revenue visibility for the London Training Centre under its new ownership. The commitment from ASL Airlines Australia demonstrates that the pending corporate handover has not deterred operator confidence in the facility’s ability to deliver specialized, SOP-integrated Boeing 737 instruction.
Sources: Acron Aviation
Photo Credit: Acron Aviation
Training & Certification
Boeing CBTA Learning Library Adopted by Thailand CAAT
Thailand’s CAAT becomes the first aviation regulator to adopt Boeing’s CBTA framework nationally, targeting 66,000 new pilots in Southeast Asia.

The Boeing Company and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced a collaboration on September 1, 2026, to deploy Boeing’s Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) Learning Library across the nation’s flight training organizations.
The initiative marks the first time an aviation regulator has adopted the Boeing CBTA framework across an entire national ecosystem. According to a Boeing press release, the rollout is designed to standardize pilot development and enhance aviation safety amid a projected demand for 66,000 new pilots in Southeast Asia over the next two decades.
Transitioning to competency-based standards
The September announcement follows preparatory work conducted earlier in the year. On March 30 and 31, 2026, CAAT and Boeing Global Services hosted dedicated workshops in Bangkok for Flight Training Organizations (FTO) and Maintenance Training Organizations (MTO). These sessions focused on transitioning the Thai aviation training sector from traditional content-based instruction to a competency-based model, aligning with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
The CBTA methodology prioritizes the development and assessment of specific pilot competencies rather than strictly measuring flight hours or rote memorization. By implementing the Boeing Learning Library at the regulatory level, CAAT aims to ensure a uniform baseline of training quality across all approved flight schools in the country.
“This collaboration represents an important step in advancing pilot training standards in Thailand. By leveraging Boeing’s expertise and CBTA learning solutions, we can further strengthen the quality of pilot training and support the continued growth of Thailand’s aviation industry,” said Iratrachar Amornpipat, Personnel Licensing Department Manager for CAAT.
Addressing regional pilot demand
The ecosystem-wide rollout in Thailand occurs against the backdrop of significant projected growth in the Asia-Pacific aviation market. Boeing estimates that Southeast Asia will require 66,000 new commercial pilots over the next 20 years to support fleet expansion and replace retiring aviators.
Meeting this demand requires scaling training infrastructure without compromising safety margins. The integration of standardized, data-driven training libraries is intended to streamline the cadet-to-first-officer pipeline.
Chris Broom, Vice President of Boeing Commercial Training Solutions, stated that the manufacturer is focused on equipping future pilots with the specific skills required for modern airline operations. He noted that the collaboration will help cadets safely and efficiently operate in an increasingly complex aviation environment.
AirPro News analysis
We view this regulatory-level adoption of a manufacturer’s training library as a notable shift in how pilot training standards are implemented. Historically, CBTA frameworks have been adopted on an airline-by-airline basis, often driven by the specific operational requirements of a carrier. By integrating the Boeing CBTA Learning Library at the CAAT level, Thailand is effectively standardizing the foundational training phase across multiple independent flight schools. This approach reduces the training burden on airlines, as cadets will enter the commercial sector with a uniform, ICAO-compliant competency baseline already established.
Sources: The Boeing Company
Photo Credit: Boeing
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