Flight simulator manufacturer EDM has completed the acquisition of training provider SkyPeople. Terms of the deal have not been made public.

The acquired business has been renamed SkyPeople Training and has gained accreditation from the Civil Aviation Authority as a cabin crew training organisation and security training provider, with a rating of ‘outstanding’. This accreditation enables the business to provide the Attestation of Initial Cabin Crew safety training, which is recognised and approved by the CAA and airlines. All cabin crew working on UK-registered aircraft must possess the qualification.

Sarah Ferguson, EDM’s group financial director, has also assumed the role of chief executive of SkyPeople Training following the completion of the deal.

Commenting on the takeover, Ferguson said: “The acquisition marks a significant addition to EDM and represents another milestone in our continued expansion. SkyPeople is a respected business which has a long history of providing high-quality training to cabin crew and pilots all over the UK and worldwide.

“We have exciting plans to grow the business as we look at new contracts with a range of airlines and the opportunity to deliver cabin crew training to them at our own base in Manchester.

EDM, which was founded in 1971, has a 100,000 sq ft facility in Newton Heath, Manchester, with manufacturing, assembly and factory testing capabilities in addition to its Aviation Training Academy. The company serves organisations worldwide from its headquarters.

Group managing director Tony Bermingham said: “We have worked with SkyPeople for a number of years, and the combination of expertise and resources across both businesses will allow for a comprehensive approach to cabin crew training, from design and consultancy to delivery, recruitment, facility supply and crewing.

“We aim to grow our offering to airlines to reduce their costs and transform the delivery of cabin crew training by being a one-stop shop for airlines of any size.”