The Centre has awarded Letters of Intent (LoIs) for setting up 11 new flying training organisations (FTOs) across seven Airports Authority of India (AAI) airports, a move aimed at strengthening India’s pilot training ecosystem amid surging demand for aviation professionals.
The new FTOs are expected to increase the country’s annual pilot training capacity by 750 cadets, supporting the rapidly expanding civil aviation sector as Indian airlines prepare for a massive fleet expansion.
The LoIs were handed over by Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu.
Capacity expansion
India currently has 41 flying training organisations operating from 63 flying bases across the country.
With the addition of the new FTOs, the government aims to build a stronger domestic pipeline of trained pilots to meet future industry requirements.
Addressing the event, Naidu said India has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets under the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
“Our focus is not only on expanding aviation infrastructure but also on creating a future-ready workforce to support the sector’s long-term growth,” he said.
Pilot training gains momentum
The Minister said India’s FTO ecosystem has expanded significantly over the past two years.
During the period, six new FTOs became operational, while the number of training aircraft increased from 324 to 385, leading to a 25% rise in annual flying hours across the pilot training network.
The enhanced training infrastructure has translated into higher pilot output, with the number of Commercial Pilot Licences (CPLs) issued rising from 1,347 in 2024 to 1,652 in 2025—the highest in the past decade. The number is expected to increase further in 2026.
Backing airline expansion
Naidu said the expansion is critical as Indian airlines currently have 1,640 aircraft on order, with nearly 500 aircraft expected to be inducted over the next five years.
“Meeting this unprecedented growth requires a strong domestic pipeline of trained aviation professionals. Our vision is clear—Train in India, Fly in India,” he said.
Policy reforms
The Minister highlighted several policy initiatives undertaken to encourage pilot training, including liberalisation of the FTO policy, abolition of airport royalties and rationalisation of land rentals.
The government has also digitised the Commercial Pilot Licence examination process through the Pariksha Portal, while India has become the second country in the world to issue electronic pilot licences, enhancing global competitiveness for Indian pilots.
Focus on quality and safety
Naidu said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) FTO Ranking Framework has helped improve transparency and operational standards across flying schools.
According to the Minister, the framework has led to a reduction in lower-performing Category ‘C’ FTOs and an increase in Category ‘B’ institutions.
He also noted that the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) recorded an average of 1,765 flying hours per aircraft over the past six months, surpassing the global benchmark of around 1,500 hours. The academy also posted a 27% increase in revenue during FY26 and reported a budget surplus after more than two decades.
The Minister also highlighted progress in the indigenous HANSA-3 (NG) trainer aircraft programme as part of efforts to build a self-reliant aviation training ecosystem.
Emphasising safety, Naidu said instructor oversight, strict adherence to standard operating procedures and a strong safety culture must remain at the core of pilot training.
During the event, the Minister also launched the FTO IFR Slot Booking App, a digital platform designed to enable flying schools to view and book Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) training slots at AAI airports, ensuring more efficient utilisation of airport infrastructure.