43 Air School announced on the 7th of March a major expansion project that will increase its pilot training capacity by 40% reinforcing its position as Africa’s leading airline pilot training academy.

The project is already 80% complete with full completion expected by June this year 2026.

The expansion represents a significant investment in infrastructure aircraft and simulator fleet and training technology to support the growing global demand for highly skilled aviation professionals.

As part of the expansion 43 Air School’s aircraft fleet will increase to 70 aircraft enabling greater training throughput and operational flexibility to meet the growing demand for its highly acclaimed programs. To support increased flight activity the campus will also introduce a fourth parallel runway bringing the total number of runways at the Port Alfred training facility to six.

“Our continued investment ensures that 43 Air School remains at the forefront of aviation training not only in Africa but globally” said Attie Niemann Group Chairman of 43 Air School. “This expansion allows us to train more airline-ready pilots while maintaining the high standards safety culture and personalized instruction that the academy is known for.”

To support the larger fleet and training operations the aircraft maintenance division has expanded with an additional 2,000 square metres of workspace thereby significantly increasing engineering capacity and efficiency.

Student accommodation is also being expanded with 60 additional rooms under construction increasing the academy’s total on-campus accommodation capacity to 450 rooms. Enhancements to campus life are also underway including upgrades to the Canteen’s and surrounding social areas creating improved spaces for students and staff to relax and connect.

Training technology will also be significantly enhanced with the commissioning of two new flight simulators including the ALSIM ALX simulator further strengthening the academy’s advanced simulation training capability.

To support the increased student intake recruitment and training is currently underway for 30 additional instructors which will bring the academy’s ab initio instructor team to approximately 75 dedicated flight instructors.

For decades 43 Air School has been recognised internationally for its innovative aviation training programs world-class facilities and strong airline partnerships.

The academy offers comprehensive training pathways in airline pilot training aircraft engineering and first-stage air traffic control training and has received numerous awards recognising excellence in aviation education.