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SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS Did you know that Middle East Airlines (MEA) has an in-house Training & Development Center? Established in 1960, it became the first professional Airline Training Institute in the Middle East. The Center even served as the hatching grounds for most Arab and African airlines during the sixties and seventies, where thousands were trained to become airline professionals in their countries. words alia fawaz
Training Center Logistics Today, this important aviation facility has been further developed with state of the art equipment and training programs adhering to the highest international standards. It has been developed on a plot of 13755 squared meters surface area (on a total built-up space of 43500 squared meters), which is spread across three basements levels and four upper floors. The Center offers pilot and cadet training while using four simulator bays, one of which is an Airbus A320 Full Flight Simulator. It also provides cabin crew training that covers safety, security, and hospitality using a real aircraft mock up. The crew gets to try the latest Cabin Emergency Evacuation Trainer that simulates different emergency evacuation scenarios, including ditching into an actual swimming pool. The Center covers technical aircraft maintenance and training for all ground and administrative crews, as well. The impressive MEA Training Center shall be open for all Arab and international airlines companies to contribute to Beirut’s pioneering regional role in culture and education.
Conference Center In addition to the Training Center, a Conference Center shall be open to all economic entities and private and public institutions in Lebanon and abroad. It has an indoor auditorium, known as The Dome, which can accommodate up to 300 people with a spacious reception hall. It also has the Olive Garden, an open area of 2350 squared meters, which can be used for receptions and special events, in addition to a ballroom, a multipurpose hall, and a spacious terrace.
Successes This marks yet another milestone for Middle East Airlines, which can be added to its notable list of achievements since its foundation in 1945. Let’s hope our much-loved national airlines will keep pushing ahead to become an aviation leader in the region again, and maybe internationally….
