CAE sees brighter days ahead for training market

CAE, the Canadian simulator manufacturer and training specialist says its defence business has seen delays in contract awards due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the drop in oil prices which has affected sales prospects in the Middle East.
Time Aerospace thumbnail


The findings were part of the annual results presentation by the company which said defence would however continue to grow and anticipates market recovery for its commercial business in the second half of the year.
The grounding of most of the world’s aircraft and pilots has hit demand for training equipment and services, but CAE said it remained ‘cautiously optimistic’ ‘about an upturn in the final quarter.
Chief executive Marc Parent said CAE had been forced in March to suspend operations at one third of its training locations and put others on reduced capacity, while installation and delivery of simulator products was put on hold. Production has since resumed at its main factory in Montreal.
“Training requirements will ultimately need to be fulfilled for pilots to retain their licences and resume flight duty,” Parent said. He also saw potential for new opportunities in the training sector. “More airline training partnership and outsourcing opportunities should materialise as the industry looks for ways to gain greater agility and resiliency,” he said.