SLOVAKIA is likely to provide training for pilots of Boeing aircraft from various geographical regions, President Ivan Gašparovič said during his visit to the Boeing Corporation in Seattle, USA, on September 21.
The training project was presented by Thomas A. Kosik, a former pilot from Seattle of Slovak origin. Gašparovič also mentioned the project, along with other potential investments in Slovakia, the TASR news wire reported.
"It's a project that concerns a training centre for new pilots of Boeing aircraft, mainly those from Asian, African, European and some other countries. This will be subject to further discussions with the people involved, and with Slovak companies of course," said Gašparovič.
Gašparovič said that there are many specialists in this sector in Slovakia.
The idea for this project emerged several years ago, and began to become a reality when the Sky Europe airline successfully entered the Slovak market. Sky Europe plans to buy 32 new Boeing 737-700 planes for more than Sk50 billion (€1.3bn). Kosik thinks it would be worth opening a training centre in Slovakia.
It was also noted that Boeing produces components in several plants throughout Europe, and that there is room for this to be extended.
Kosik would also like the City University in Slovakia to cooperate in the setting up of a pilot management programme. "It will be useful for Slovakia, as well as for the USA," said Kosik.
The project will be supported by individual and private investors.
Compiled by Beata Balogová from press reports
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