Fraport AG, via its wholly-owned Aerodrom Ljubljana subsidiary, will establish the Fraport Aviation Academy at Slovenia’s Ljubljana Airport by the end of 2016.  Aerodrom Ljubljana has received the corporate mandate for operating the new Academy to meet the increasing training and education requirements within the Fraport Group, as well as from external customers. As one of the world’s leading airport management groups, Fraport depends on highly skilled staff at its airports around the globe for maintaining high operating standards, delivering top customer-focused services, and for addressing the rapid changes that character today’s aviation industry.

Thomas Uihlein, Aerodrom Ljubljana’s chief administrative officer and head of the Fraport Aviation Academy, explained the strategic importance of this training initiative:  “Creation of the Fraport Aviation Academy as a new “center of excellence and learning” underscores Fraport’s commitment to enhancing Ljubljana as a sustainable location. Diversifying non-aeronautical businesses is a key element of Fraport’s strategy for its airport portfolio.  We wish to harness the inherent synergies available at Ljubljana Airport, which has developed its own significant know-how as a full-service airport company in operations, handling, and emergency services.  Furthermore, the Ljubljana region is the perfect location where we can develop innovative world-class solutions in aviation training.”

Initially, the Fraport Aviation Academy will offer training in airport management, ramp handling, passenger handling, dangerous goods, occupational safety, and fire services – training areas where Aerodrom Ljubljana has already been active for some years.  Later, the Fraport Aviation Academy will also get a brand new training center. Costing about €3.9 million, this training center will be built on a site near Ljubljana’s General Aviation Terminal.  Construction is scheduled to start in early 2017 and the inaugurated is expected in early 2018.  This new center will make it possible to expand the number and range of training services offered in the coming years.

Training will be done by Aerodrom Ljubljana experts as well as staff from the entire Fraport Group.  Later, the Fraport Aviation Academy could collaborate with chosen partners to deliver training modules in specialized areas. “A long-term objective of the Fraport Aviation Academy is not only to pass on knowledge but also to link the different areas of aviation into an integrated learning concept,” added Uihlein.  The Fraport Aviation Academy will serve as a training center for the entire Group and will complement existing training facilities at Frankfurt Airport.