Guest of the Trajet program on Radio Sénégal Internationale, Aida Seck Ndiaye, director of the International Academy of Civil Aviation Professions (AIMAC), shared a major advance for Senegalese civil aviation: 24 Senegalese student pilots including 3 women, trained locally according to international standards, will receive their pilot license by the end of December 2024 or the beginning of January 2025.
This program, financed by Air Senegal, marks a decisive step in building national expertise in a sector often dominated by foreign players. Added to this is the training of 30 aircraft technicians, including 9 female maintenance technicians, a significant step forward in promoting gender equality in this area.
According to Aida Seck Ndiaye, these training courses were designed to meet the strict requirements of civil aviation: “The students followed all their training in Senegal under European standards. They were evaluated by international experts to guarantee the quality of the lessons, and the results were satisfactory. »
AIMAC, a subsidiary of AIBD (Blaise Diagne International Airport), stands out as a high-level training center, offering a local alternative to costly training abroad. The presence of 3 women among the pilots and 9 maintenance technicians demonstrates AIMAC’s efforts to open up civil aviation careers to women.
“It is important to highlight the growing participation of women in these professions, often perceived as reserved for men. We are very proud of it,” said the director.
The long-term objective, according to Aida Seck Ndiaye, is to make Senegal the first air hub in the sub-region by 2035. This involves: Increasing the capacity of Blaise Diagne airport to 5 then 10 million passengers, the development of aeronautical maintenance centers, the modernization of regional airports, such as that of Ziguinchor, which will be operational in 2025, the expansion of freight infrastructure, essential for connectivity subregional.
In addition to pilots and technicians, AIMAC offers training for: Transit agents and freight agents, essential to airport management. Jobs related to aircraft loading, requiring scientific skills. For interested young people, AIMAC organizes open days and offers introductory aeronautics programs for middle and high school students.
With projects such as the introduction of webinars and seminars from 2025, AIMAC is committed to popularizing the aviation professions and strengthening its role in the Senegalese economy. By training local experts and promoting equal opportunities, AIMAC positions itself as a key player in the development of civil aviation in Senegal and the sub-region.
