BAA Training

Industry	Aviation
Founded	2006 (2006) in Vilnius, Lithuania
Area served	EU CIS APAC MENA
Key people	Marijus Ravoitis (CEO)
Services	Aviation training services: Fixed and Rotary wing Ab Initio Type Rating Cabin Crew Flight Dispatcher Ground handling
Number of employees	211 (2023)
Parent	Avia Solutions Group
Website	www.baatraining.com

BAA Training (formerly Baltic Aviation Academy) is an aviation training center, and a subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group. Headquartered in Vilnius, Lithuania, it operates globally. Certified as an Approved Training Organization (ATO), BAA Training offers a wide range of programs, including Ab Initio, Type Rating, Cabin Crew, Ground Handling, and Flight Dispatcher training. Additionally, BAA Training provides the flexibility to complete theory remotely through online courses.

Presently, BAA Training operates 12 flight simulation training devices (FSTDs), including 4 full flight simulators (FFSs) at their training center in Vilnius, Lithuania, 2 FFSs in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 3 FFSs and 2 FTDs in Barcelona, Spain, as well as 2 FFSs in Paris, France. Through an extensive partnership network of 69+ FFS in 29+ locations, BAA Training is well-equipped to provide aviation training worldwide for various aircraft types. Based at Lleida-Alguaire International Airport in Spain, the Ab Initio school operates with a fleet of 9 aircraft.

BAA Training Historical Timeline

• 2006 – Foundation of the academy
  • The flyLAL Training Centre fully was established, fully owned by flyLAL Group. It provided training for B737CL and SAAB 2000 pilots and cabin crew.^[1]
• 2008 – First simulation training equipment
  • The academy acquired first full flight simulator, a Boeing 737, deployed at its HQ.
  • The Real Fire Fighting Trainer for firefighting and smoke training was installed at the academy's HQ.
• 2009 – Name Change
  • The academy changed its name to Baltic Aviation Academy as part of a new business strategy.^[2]
  • Ab Initio school was established, and the first group of students started their training.
• 2011 – Further expansion
  • The academy installed an Airbus A320 full flight simulator in Vilnius, and the first Cessna 150 marked the start of the Ab Initio flight school.
  • A new business line, SimHelp, was established to provide dedicated simulator maintenance assistance and spare parts.
• 2012 – Software MOMOOK
  • Intelligent business management software, MOMook, designed specifically for aviation training centers, was introduced.^[3]
• 2013 – EASA ATO certificate
  • Baltic Aviation Academy received the approved training organization certificate under EASA.
  • An order for FNPT trainer was placed to enhance flight training.
• 2015 – Rebranding for international expansion
  • Baltic Aviation Academy became BAA Training.^[4]
  • An in-house competence development and assessment center, Emblick, was established.
• 2016 – New opportunities for clients
  • The academy purchased an Airbus A320 touch screen trainer, enhancing flight training preparation on the full flight simulator.^[5]  
  • The first cadet program was launched.^[6]
• 2017 – First helicopter cadet program
• 2018 – New facilities and fleet expansion  
  • BAA Training purchased an Airbus A320 Door and Slide Trainer for cabin crew and pilot training.^[7]
  • A BAA Training Vietnam training center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, was established.^[8]
  • BAA Training opened a new flight base in Lleida-Alguaire International Airport.^[9] The Ab Initio flight school fleet reached 11 aircraft.
  • A BAA Training flight academy was opened at the international Lleida-Alguaire airport in Spain. The Ab Initio flight school fleet reached 11 aircraft.
  • Boeing 737 NG and Airbus A320 full flight simulators were installed at the HQ.
  • "Tapk pilotu," a pilot training funding and integration to job market project, was established for the Lithuanian market.
  • The first MPL training program was launched through a partnership agreement with Avion Express.
• 2019 – Global expansion and new major client for cadet training
  • BAA Training announced plans to invest 60 million euros in the global FFS expansion
  • A partnership agreement for cadet training was signed with Turkish Airlines.
  • An ATO certificate was obtained for BAA Training Vietnam.
  • The first group of students started training under the Avion Express MPL training program.
• 2021 – Wind of changes
  • The company opened a training facility in Spain.^[10]
  • BAA Training established an MRO in Spain called Avia Repair Co.^[11]
  • €31 million financing was secured for global expansion.^[12]
  • Marijus Ravoitis was appointed as the new CEO.^[13]
  • BAA Training launched a new Boeing 737 MAX Type Rating Program.^[14]
  • BAA Training launched virtual reality-based pilot training.^[15]
  • BAA Training Vietnam signed a long-term agreement with Bamboo Airways on full flight simulator leasing.^[16]
• 2022 – More connections and partnerships
  • BAA Training launched a new pilot training program in cooperation with ENAC.^[17]
  • BAA Training launched a new cadet program with a pilot job guarantee.^[18]
  • BAA Training Vietnam entered long-term business partnership with Vietravel Airlines.^[19]
  • A contract was signed to provide Air France with Airbus A320 Type Rating services.^[20]
• 2023 – Further expansion in Europe
  • In September 2023, BAA Training is expanding geographically by opening a new simulator training center in Paris due to a concluded agreement with Transavia Airlines, a part of the Air France-KLM Group.

Training equipment

BAA Training Locations

Additional business lines

• In 2011, BAA Training established SimHelp, which currently acts as an FFS fleet maintenance and spare parts supply platform.
• In 2012, the company established MOMook – intelligent business management software specifically designed for aviation training centers. Integrated into the daily operations of training centers, MOMook allows for smart training resources and process planning, centralized information control, easy and fast monitoring of student progress and evaluations, and the ability to operate as a paperless training organization.
• In 2015, BAA Training established Emblick, an EAAP (European Association for Aviation Psychology) recognized pilot assessment and competency center. Emblick's main role is to assess candidates' suitability for the pilot profession and BAA Training's training programs, as well as facilitating certain competency and skills development.
• In 2018, BAA Training established "Tapk pilotu" – a pilot training funding and job market integration program for the Lithuanian market. This program provided funding support and served as a starting point for an airline pilot career.

References