The inaugural batch of students for a higher diploma in aviation business administration have commenced classes at the Al Ain based Horizon International Flight Academy.
Horizon claims it is the first and only academy to conduct the higher diploma for pilots in the Middle East.
The diploma is open to pilots of all nationalities holding a licence, who are keen to support their flying credentials with professional qualifications or to individuals in the airline industry who want to move from flying to management later during their career.
Academy general manager, Mohammed Humaidan Al Zaabi, said: “We are proud to be the only academy in the Middle East region to offer the higher diploma to active and non-active pilots who want a long-term career in a field as exciting as aviation.
“The entire aviation industry too benefits.
“This diploma will help develop better rounded individuals who can later move from flying to ground work while also helping them sustain their careers in this field.”
The course includes a comprehensive mix of business and aviation subjects covering three semesters and the students are expected to graduate in January 2011.
Horizon Academy has recently celebrated the graduation of the second batch of Eithad cadet pilots who completed their Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) training.