Slated for completion by 2025, the project aims to train up to 500 pilots and cabin and ground crew daily and is expected to create 150 new jobs.
"Over the next two years, we will invest about USD 100 million, converting this potato field into Europe's most modern pilot and cabin crew training center," Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said during a ceremony at the construction site on Thursday.
The initial phase, featuring six simulators, is due to be completed in the first half of next year, with full operational capacity expected in the subsequent months.
O'Leary also announced the center's comprehensive training capabilities, catering to pilots, cabin crew, ground handlers and administrative staff.
The facility will boast 10 flight simulators, including Poland's first Boeing 737-8200 "Gamechanger" simulators, equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
Kraków is a pivotal hub for Ryanair, where it stands as the largest carrier.
Polish Deputy Sport and Tourism Minister Ireneusz Raś lauded the project's significance for Kraków and the broader Małopolska region, as well as for Ryanair, emphasizing the collaborative effort behind the venture.
"This investment project is a signal and an incentive for the further development of Poland's tourism industry," Raś said, as cited by Polish state news agency PAP.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP