TUI fly, Boeing and FIRST Scandinavia bring aviation into the classroom at Brussels Airport

Some 180 pupils in their third and fourth years of secondary school will explore flight planning and take the controls of a professional flight simulator through the Newton Room educational initiative at TUI fly Belgium’s training centre at Brussels Airport in Zaventem.

Organised by TUI fly, Boeing and FIRST Scandinavia, the programme will run over two weeks, giving teenagers practical experience of how mathematics, science and technology are used in aviation. Activities will cover calculating a flight route, estimating flight time and understanding the factors that influence operational decisions.

With guidance from a TUI fly pilot, pupils will learn how a flight is prepared before applying their calculations in a professional simulator. An aircraft visit will provide a further opportunity to connect the classroom exercises with the workings of an aeroplane.

The partners aim to help young people discover their abilities and interests in STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — through a tangible challenge. Although participants may not yet be choosing their future studies, the organisers see these years as an opportunity to spark interests that could influence their education and careers.

TUI fly says many pilots and other aviation professionals first became fascinated by flying during childhood. By opening its training facilities to school groups, the airline hopes to make the sector more accessible and encourage both girls and boys to consider technical and aviation careers.

Boeing Global president Dr Brendan Nelson said the initiative gives young people an opportunity to experiment, solve problems and discover their potential. TUI Airline chief operating officer Tilman Reinshagen welcomed the collaboration and thanked Boeing and FIRST Scandinavia for choosing TUI fly to help introduce teenagers to aviation.

FIRST Scandinavia, which has developed practical STEM learning experiences since 2000, is responsible for the educational framework. Its chief operating officer, Silje Kumeus, explained that the Newton concept challenges pupils to solve problems using mathematics, science and technology, with flight simulators allowing them to test what they have learnt immediately.

TUI employees will also participate as Newton educators and simulator instructors, bringing their professional experience into the sessions. For TUI fly Belgium, hosting the international initiative at Zaventem provides an opportunity to connect its training expertise with local pupils and potential future aviation professionals.