The runway to a career in the skies just got a lot more crowded, in the best possible way. Over the past several weeks, FlyIAA has thrown open its hangar doors to the next generation of aviators, hosting a sweeping international Open Day tour that drew more than 1,500 attendees across six countries: Cyprus, the UAE, Portugal, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq.

From bustling established aviation hubs to fast-emerging markets, these events gave prospective pilot training students and their families a front-row seat to what a future in professional aviation really looks like: face-to-face conversations with instructors, hands-on program insights, and a clear runway toward a career as a commercial pilot.

A Global Momentum: FlyIAA's Expanding International Footprint

FlyIAA's 2026 Open Day series is more than a string of events. It's a statement of intent. With every stop, the academy is cementing its position as a leading name in flight training and EASA-approved pilot programs, bringing world-class aviation education directly to students, wherever they call home.

Where the journey has touched down:

• Larnaca, Cyprus — CAFA Open Day, July 7
• Dubai, UAE — FlyIAA Open Day, July 12
• Lisbon, Portugal — July 23
• Beirut, Lebanon — FlyIAA Open Day, July 24
• Porto, Portugal — July 24
• Faro, Portugal — July 25
• Damascus, Syria — FlyIAA Open Day, July 26
• Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal — July 30
• Funchal, Madeira, Portugal — August 6
• Baghdad, Iraq — FlyIAA Open Day, August 8

Portugal's five-city, island-spanning leg, stretching from mainland Lisbon and Porto all the way to the Azores and Madeira, underscores FlyIAA's deepening roots in the country and its drive to make professional pilot training accessible to students in every region, not just major cities.

Meanwhile, the debut events in Damascus and Baghdad mark a historic milestone: FlyIAA's first-ever Open Days in Syria and Iraq, opening a new chapter of aviation opportunity across the Middle East.

Beyond an Open Day: A Launchpad for Aviation Careers

These weren't your typical info sessions. At every stop, attendees got an immersive look into what it actually takes to become a pilot, from the career pathways available in commercial aviation to the entry requirements for becoming a licensed professional pilot. Students and families explored FlyIAA's global training destinations and program options, sat down for direct Q&A with instructors and academy team members, and got real talk on EASA licensing pathways, aircraft training fleets, and job placement after graduation.

For many future aviators, this was the first time their questions about flight school life, study-abroad training destinations, and career trajectories got answered by people who've actually flown the route themselves. The turnout, thousands of curious, motivated students across six countries, speaks volumes. Interest in aviation careers is soaring, and FlyIAA's international network is scaling right alongside it.

The Journey Continues: Lebanon, and a New Wave This Fall

The Open Day tour isn't slowing down, if anything, it's just getting started. FlyIAA is taking its regional outreach deeper into Lebanon throughout August, with upcoming stops in Tripoli, Akkar, Koura, Baalbeck, Zahle, and Saida. These community-level events are designed to close the distance between ambition and opportunity, bringing pilot career guidance and admissions support directly to students' hometowns, no long trip required.

And that's just the next stop. Looking further ahead, FlyIAA is gearing up for a new wave of Open Days across all of its international locations this September and October, meaning even more opportunities for aspiring pilots in Cyprus, the UAE, Portugal, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and beyond to connect with the FlyIAA team, explore training programs, and take their first step toward the cockpit.

Missed an Open Day? Your Runway Is Still Clear.

Didn't make it to one of the events? No problem! Your path to the cockpit doesn't start and end with a single date on the calendar.

Stay connected with FlyIAA and catch the next Open Day or regional event near you. Meet the team, explore FlyIAA's pilot training programs, discover its international training bases, and take the first real step toward a career in aviation.

Your aviation journey can start anywhere. Let FlyIAA help you take off.