Horizon International Flight Academy in Al Ain will offer undergraduate degrees and become a full fledged university.  Horizon’s general manager Mohammed al Zaabi said  “By 2016, we expect Horizon will be an aviation university.” The flight academy is now planning to offer a new “higher diploma” in aviation business this fall.  Governments and militaries in the UAE and region sponsor many students attending the Horizon International Flight Academy.  

The academy was created after the September 11 crisis, because this slowed the flow of Middle East students studying in US flight schools.  Mr. al Zaabi said there are only a few private schools in Saudi Arabia and Qatar providing flight training, so Horizon has developed a niche.