Council shows support for pilot academy
Published on 31 July 2021
Whanganui District Council says the New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy (NZICPA) has the potential to regain its pre-Covid momentum when international students are able to come into New Zealand.
The council recently considered its long-term commitment to NZICPA through its investment company Whanganui District Council Holdings Limited.
Chief Executive, Kym Fell says, “Like all aviation-related companies, NZICPA has been impacted by border closures due to Covid-19, but we believe the company has a viable future, based on its pre-Covid performance.
“To enable NZICPA to continue its operations and build on its excellent reputation, Whanganui District Council has increased investment into Holdings by $150,000 which will provide interim support to the NZICPA while the government considers when international students will be allowed back into New Zealand.”
A further $150,000 would be available by the end of September, providing the government confirms there will be sufficient MIQ places for NZICPA students to enable the company to continue to operate in a solvent manner.
NZICPA chair, David Rae, says the pilot academy continues to operate, in spite of a challenging global situation. “International students are able to complete some modules remotely and NZICPA is also focusing on developing training tools and resources.”
Whanganui District Council Holdings Chair, Declan Millin, says substantial work was undertaken by the NZICPA and WDHCL boards to establish NZICPA as a category one provider for the training of pilot students.
“This enabled the company to grow its student numbers, attracting a substantial number of international students.”
He says it is expected the high demand for pilots will continue post-Covid and may in fact increase.
“This investment will enable the NZICPA to quickly respond once international pilot students are back in New Zealand, providing returns on the council’s investment and economic benefit to Whanganui.”