CAE Brussels (formerly Sabena Flight Academy)
Belgium · EASA ATO
CAE Brussels is an airline pilot training centre in Steenokkerzeel, Belgium, formerly known as the Sabena Flight Academy. It trains ab-initio cadets to become airline pilots and provides type-rating and simulator training.
The organization traces back to a Sabena training operation created in 1953; after Sabena's 2001 bankruptcy the school continued and became the Sabena Flight Academy, before being acquired by the Canadian training group CAE in 2008. Training is conducted under EASA, with an integrated ATPL program in which early flying phases are flown on single-engine aircraft such as the Diamond DA40 or Piper Archer and multi-engine phases on the Diamond DA42 or Piper Seminole. Advanced training uses full-motion Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 simulators at Brussels Airport. In 2026 CAE began a consultation process over a possible closure of its Brussels operations.
School facts
| Country | Belgium |
|---|---|
| Region | Flemish Brabant (Steenokkerzeel, near Brussels Airport) |
| Base airport | Brussels Airport area (EBBR); training phases also Phoenix & Oxford |
| Regulator | EASA ATO |
| Courses | Integrated ATPL CPL IR Multi-engine MPL Type Rating (A320, A330, B737) |
| Fleet | Level D full-flight simulators (A320, A330, B737); flight training via CAE network (Phoenix/Oxford) |
| Partnerships | easyJet Ryanair Brussels Airlines (MPL cadet) |
| Founded | 1953 |
| Website | cae.com |
Key facts
- Country: Belgium; based in Steenokkerzeel near Brussels Airport
- Origins in a 1953 Sabena training operation; became Sabena Flight Academy, acquired by CAE in 2008
- Trains under EASA with an integrated ATPL program
- Fleet phases use Diamond DA40/Piper Archer singles and Diamond DA42/Piper Seminole twins
- Advanced training on full-motion Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 simulators
- In 2026 CAE started consultation on possible closure of Brussels operations
Frequently asked questions
What was CAE Brussels formerly called?
When did CAE acquire it?
Under what regulator does it train?
Sources
- https://www.cae.com/civil-aviation/locations/cae-brussels/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabena_Flight_Academy
- https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/training-specialist-cae-acquires-sabena-flight-acade-224533/
Last verified 2026-07-13. Professionally-public, sourced information only.