Philippines aims at becoming Asia's flight-training capital

Manila: Philippine Senator Edgardo Angara has said that the country urgently needs a single, centralized and autonomous civil aviation authority, if the Philippines was to become the next flight-training capital of Asia.

According to Omni Aviation Corp president, Captain Ben Hur Gomez, the number of foreign flight students in the country is steadily climbing. For instance, Capt Gomez pointed out, there are about 400 Indian flight students in different flight schools in the country today. Omni Aviation is the premier flight school in the Philippines.

According to Seantor Angara, increasing numbers of students are coming in from Asia and Europe, but local flight schools are unable to accommodate all of them. "With the influx of foreign flight students, the country should be prepared to ensure the safety and efficiency of aviation in the country," said the Senator.

"Being structurally prepared will further boost our competitive advantage in becoming Asia''s flight training capital," Senator Angara said.

According to the International Air Transport Association, the centre of aviation industry in the world is shifting towards India and East China. China recruits 1,000 pilots every year and India will need 4,000 over the next five years.