The Hong Kong International Aviation Academy (HKIAA) held its Graduation Ceremony on 28 November 2025 at the AsiaWorld-Expo, honouring its students who have completed their studies. The ceremony commemorated the milestone achievements of nearly 100 graduates from four different programmes: Advanced Master in Air Transport Management (AMATM), Professional Diploma in Aviation Management (PDAM) and Diploma in Aviation Operations (DAO), and the Cadet Pilot Programme, aa new addition to the ceremony this year.
Officiating guests included Mr Vic Yau, Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mrs Vivian Cheung, Chief Executive Officer, Airport Authority Hong Kong, Captain Victor Liu, Director – General of Civil Aviation, and Mrs Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau. The ceremony also saw well-over 200 people in attendance, comprising distinguished guests from the local airport community, aviation industry, and family and friends honouring the graduates’ achievements.
The event started with opening remarks by Mr Vic Yau, followed by speeches by both Mr Simon Li, and Mr Nicolas Cazalis. Mr Li expressed his gratitude towards ENAC, the programmes’ sponsors, business partners, airline recruiters, HKIA airport community and industry experts for their unwavering support.
In addressing the graduates, he said “The Academy feels accomplished to be part of your journey, enabling and nurturing you to be better-prepared to face the future in our ever-evolving aviation industry.” He acknowledged to them there would be challenges along the way and encouraged the graduates to “meet them with strength and courage.”
The convocation continued with Mr Li and Mr Cazalis conferring certificates to the AMATM cohort which included graduates from Hong Kong, Mainland China and the Belt and Road countries, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Mr Li then presented certificates to the PDAM and DAO programmes’ graduates.
Lastly, Mr Li also presented certificates to the graduates of the Cadet Pilot Programme. Among the 37 graduates completing the programme, 11 have recently been recruited by HK Express Airways as Second Officers, with others progressively obtaining their Commercial Pilot’s Licenses from the Civil Aviation Department. This milestone highlights both the graduates’ achievements and HKIAA’s commitment to nurture young talent and provide career advancement opportunities for the continuous development of Hong Kong’s aviation industry.
The event concluded with speeches by graduate representatives from each programme. The graduates thanked their instructors, families, and supporting organisations, highlighting the personal growth and friendships gained during their studies.
