Paris, April 3, 2025
Simaero, a major international player in airline pilot training, has inaugurated its second training center at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport on April 3, 2025. In the presence of Philippe Tabarot, French Minister of Transport, the inauguration of this new facility marks a key milestone in the development of the French company and reinforces its ability to meet the growing training needs of national and international airlines.
With established operations in France, South Africa, China and India, Simaero continues its expansion with this second Paris-based center, doubling its training capacity within the Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport zone, the largest aviation hub in the EASA area. This development highlights the international recognition of French expertise in aeronautical training, positioning France as a global hub in this sector.
The new facility’s first full-flight simulator, a brand-new Airbus A350, is already in operation and welcoming first crews from leading French airlines. The center will continue to grow with the addition of a second Airbus A320 CEO/NEO simulator in the second half of 2025, before reaching full capacity in the coming years. These first two simulators represent a €20 million investment. Overtime the complete project will total close to €100 million. This new Simaero training center will be able to train around 3,000 pilots per year, bringing the total number of pilots trained annually across both Paris centers to 6,000.
This ambitious project is expected to create around thirty new jobs over the next three years, primarily for simulator technicians and engineers. Additionally, the new center will welcome over 100 people daily, contributing to the local economy and enhancing the attractiveness of the Paris-Charles de Gaulle area as a hub for aeronautics excellence.
Simaero is a global provider of flight simulator pilot training and simulation engineering solutions. In just a few years, the company has risen into the top three pure players worldwide, operating 21 simulators across three continents. Over the past five years, Simaero has more than doubled its revenue, and is targeting a 20%+ annual growth.
With more than 250 clients - including airlines from over 80 different countries across all continents - Simaero has established itself as a major global player.
Its recent establishment in China (2024), where it is the only foreign pilot training provider, its imminent expansion into India (2025) - two key markets for global aviation growth - and a planned expansion into Saudi Arabia, demonstrate the company's strategic vision and international positioning.
In 2024, Simaero increased its training capacity by 23%, and a 50% increase is planned by 2028. A significant portion of this growth is driven by strategic investments, particularly in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region, where more than 60% of the projected expansion between 2024 and 2028 will be concentrated. The opening of the new training center in Paris CDG is a major milestone in this expansion strategy.
The official inauguration of the new Simaero center, in the presence of Philippe Tabarot, Minister of Transport, featured a roundtable discussion on how innovative French companies are addressing new aviation security challenges on an international level. The event brought together Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, former Minister of Transport; Alexandre Feray, CEO of Open Airlines; Thomas Bessière, CEO of Hinfact; Michel Polacco, aviator and aerospace journalist; and Nicolas Mouté, CEO of Simaero.
Discussions focused on how French companies are turning technological and security challenges into growth opportunities on the global stage. On this occasion, Nicolas Mouté reaffirmed Simaero’s commitment: “With this new center, Simaero strengthens its role as a key player in pilot training, supporting airlines in overcoming global technological and security challenges.”
Simaero is a world-leading provider of pilot training on full-flight simulators and simulation engineering solutions. In global aviation, change is a constant. We promise to be a straightforward and continual presence in the complex training requirements of international airlines and pilots. With five training centres strategically located in France (headquarters), South Africa, China and India, Simaero trains over 5,000 pilots every year from 250+ civil and military carriers and 80+ countries. Our simulator fleet and training solutions cover the main commercial aircraft types, including Airbus, Boeing, ATR, and Embraer.
©Simaero Holding. 26 avenue de la demi-lune, 95700 Roissy-en-France, France
