Tel Aviv. The normalization agreements between Israel and some Gulf states have an impact on the civil aviation sector. Israir, one of the three Israeli airlines, and Etihad Airways have signed a cooperation agreement for the Israeli carrier’s pilots to train on the UAE airlines A320 Airbus simulator.

According to this agreement Israir pilots will train on the Airbus A 320 simulator in Abu Dhabi. The training will be conducted by Israir’s own staff.

Israir CEO Uri Sirkis met Etihad Airways CEO Tony Douglas and Etihad Aviation Training managing director Paolo La Cava at the airlines headquarters in Abu Dhabi shortly after the Abraham accords were signed in September. He said, “I found a rare opportunity to use Etihad’s simulators, which are just three hours flight from Israel. As well as the professional and financial advantages, I believe that the more interaction that there is between professionals from the two countries, then tourist traffic can strengthen accordingly.”

Etihad has agreements with 40 airlines for using its training installation in Abu Dhabi. The simulators include various aircraft of Airbus and Boeing.

Israir will dry lease the Full-Flight Simulators at the training facility, with the training conducted by Israir instructors.

-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist