Norwich Aviation Centre secures three training aircraft to meet rising demand for commercial pilots

Norwich Aviation Centre has secured three aircraft to meet rising demand for pilot training.

The UK-based operation worked with STAR Asset Finance Group to support the growth of its fleet with three new light aircraft.

The expansion plans some as Norwich Aviation Centre prepares to launch commercial aviation training programmes in 2026.

The investment will allow the centre to increase training capacity and support more students progressing through private and professional pilot pathways.

The firm said it’s growth comes amid rising interest in aviation training and pilot careers with searches for ‘flight training’ and ‘pilot flight training’ up 30% in the UK.

In addition it says searches for ‘flight school UK’ are up 20% year-on-year while queries for ‘Jet2 funded pilot training’ have seen significant growth.

Rob Clarke, founder of Norwich Aviation Centre, said: “The addition of these aircraft allows us to expand training capacity and support more students progressing through their aviation journey.

“Our goal has always been to create a strong aviation training hub in East Anglia, and this investment helps us continue building that capability while preparing for the launch of commercial training programmes.”

Norwich Aviation Centre, which launched in 2023, says the sector is rebuilding capacity following the disruption of the COVID pandemic as it prepares for long-term workforce demand.

Industry forecasts suggest aviation will require hundreds of thousands of new pilots globally over the coming decades, while UK regional aviation is increasingly being discussed as part of the country’s future connectivity strategy.

While attention in aviation often focuses on airlines and large airports, industry experts say the sector’s future also depends heavily on smaller aviation businesses, including training providers, maintenance companies and specialist operators.

Steve Swift,  chief executive of STAR Asset Finance Group, said access to flexible funding is often a critical enabler for aviation businesses looking to scale.

“When people talk about the future of aviation, the focus is often on airlines, airports and aircraft orders. But the industry is supported by a much wider ecosystem of businesses: training centres, engineering providers and specialist aviation operators; that also need the right investment to grow.

“Norwich Aviation Centre is a great example of a business with a clear vision and strong leadership team investing in its future. The aircraft funding helps translate that ambition into operational capacity.”

Swift added that training infrastructure will play a key role in supporting the sector’s long-term growth.

“If regional aviation and airline networks are going to continue expanding, the industry also needs the training capacity to support the next generation of pilots. Investment in training infrastructure is an important piece of that puzzle.”

The development also comes amid renewed focus on aviation growth and innovation in the UK.

Earlier this year, the UK government announced up to £43 million in funding to support green aviation technologies, aimed at accelerating cleaner flight and supporting high-value aerospace jobs.

At the same time, the Civil Aviation Authority reported that UK aviation recorded over 302 million passenger journeys in 2025, marking a new record for the sector.

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