Tigerair Taiwan is expanding its domestic pilot training programme, with the 2026 cadet intake through Apex Aviation reaching a record scale for the partnership. On November 3, chairman Huang Shih-hui visited Apex Aviation's flight training centre at Taitung Airport (TTT) to review student progress and performance assessments and to discuss training experiences and future career plans with the cadets.
According to Apex Aviation's account of the visit, cadets began reporting to the Taitung base in stages earlier this year. Their programme includes structured courses, practical flying and staged assessments. Huang received briefings on training progress and evaluations, inspected student accommodation and meal arrangements, and met the cadets to learn about their daily lives during training.
Tigerair Taiwan and Apex Aviation signed their fourth pilot training agreement on March 18, 2026. They planned to train 36 cadets over the year, making it the largest annual intake in the history of their cooperation. Tigerair Taiwan said that it would cover training expenses in full and use the academy's standardized courses and instructor resources to develop essential flying skills and professional standards.
Apex Aviation's affiliated flight training centre was established in 2014, with its principal training base in Taitung. The operator has worked with Tigerair Taiwan since 2015. In March, Apex reported that 51 graduates were then employed by Tigerair Taiwan. That was a historical figure at the time of the March announcement and should not be interpreted as an up-to-date headcount from the November visit.
Apex Aviation emphasized that developing professional pilots requires not only technical instruction and rigorous assessments but also a stable environment and support for everyday living. The chairman's inspection of accommodation, catering and training results illustrates how both companies have incorporated student welfare into their partnership to help cadets concentrate on their studies.
As Tigerair Taiwan pursues fleet renewal and network planning, pilot training forms part of its long-term workforce development. Cadets must still complete applicable training and evaluations before progressing to airline-specific aircraft qualification and line operations. The cooperation provides a domestic pathway for nurturing future professional pilots.