Minister for Transport Opens Aer Lingus Full-Flight Simulator
Major investment in pilot training capability marks the latest milestone in the long-standing partnership between Aer Lingus and Simtech Aviation.
Dublin – August 2026 — Ireland’s Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD, officially opened the new Aer Lingus CAE Airbus A320 CEO/NEO Full-Flight Simulator at Simtech Aviation’s Pilot Training Centre of Excellence near Dublin Airport on Friday.
The official ribbon-cutting was attended by Minister O’Brien alongside Adrian Dunne, Chief Operating Officer at Aer Lingus; Capt. Se Pardy, Accountable Manager at Simtech Aviation; and James Cahill of CAE, together with senior representatives from Aer Lingus, the Irish Aviation Authority, AerCap and the wider Irish aviation sector.
The new full-flight simulator forms part of a significant Aer Lingus investment in pilot training capability in Ireland and further strengthens the long-standing partnership between Aer Lingus and Simtech Aviation.
The simulator is owned by Aer Lingus and manufactured by CAE and is housed at Simtech Aviation’s Dublin training centre.
Simtech provides the specialist facility and simulator infrastructure while its highly experienced engineering team provides ongoing simulator maintenance and technical support.
The new A320 CEO/NEO simulator is the first stage of a wider expansion at Simtech Aviation, with a new Aer Lingus A330 CEO/NEO Full-Flight Simulator due to follow and an A321XLR Full-Flight Simulator planned for 2027.
The expansion significantly increases the level of advanced airline pilot training capability available in Ireland and further develops Simtech Aviation’s Dublin facility as a major European centre for full-flight simulator training.
Recognising Trust, Partnership, and Aviation Expertise
During the launch, speakers highlighted the long-standing trust between Aer Lingus and Simtech Aviation, and the specialist engineering and simulator expertise required to support next-generation airline pilot training.
The event also included contributions from Aer Lingus Chief Operating Officer Adrian Dunne, Minister Darragh O’Brien and Declan Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive of the Irish Aviation Authority.
Simtech Aviation was recognised during the event for the quality of its simulator facilities, its engineering capability and the role Irish aviation businesses continue to play within the international aviation sector.
Minister O’Brien also congratulated Simtech Aviation as it celebrates 25 years of airline pilot training in 2026. Simtech has provided airline-focused pilot training since receiving MCC approval in 2001 and today supports both student pilots and airline customers across Europe and beyond.
Continued Investment in Airline and Cadet Training
Alongside the Aer Lingus simulator programme, Simtech Aviation continues to expand its own airline and cadet pilot training activities.
Simtech currently delivers EASA and UK CAA APS MCC training and is preparing to introduce an additional APS MCC training option using Simtech’s own Airbus A320 CEO simulator.
The expansion will complement Simtech’s established B737-800NG APS MCC programme and provide student pilots with an additional Airbus-based pathway.
Simtech has developed a strong reputation in APS MCC training, with graduates now flying with more than 70 airlines worldwide.
Supporting Airline Partners Across Europe
Simtech Aviation also operates ATR full-flight simulator capability supporting regional airline customers including Emerald Airlines, ASL Airlines, Loganair and Aurigny, together with other airline operators requiring ATR pilot training.
Its ATR training activity includes recurrent airline pilot training, EASA type ratings and additional simulator-based training solutions.
This combination of Airbus, Boeing and ATR capability allows Simtech to support both aspiring airline pilots and established airline flight crews from one specialist training centre beside Dublin Airport.
25 Years Of Excellence
The simulator launch comes during Simtech Aviation’s 25 Years of Excellence in Airline Pilot Training campaign.
Since 2001, Simtech has evolved from early MCC training into a European provider of APS MCC, airline training and full-flight simulator operations, supported by a specialist team of instructors, engineers and aviation professionals.