An FTO trains pilots in various aspects of aviation, including aircraft operations, navigation and flight safety.
| Photo Credit:
SUDHAKARA JAIN
In a move aimed at strengthening India’s aviation training capacity, the state-run Airports Authority of India (AAI) has offered seven airports across the country for establishing flying training organisations (FTOs), or flying schools.
An FTO trains pilots in various aspects of aviation, including aircraft operations, navigation and flight safety.
Such institutions require access to an airstrip for take-offs, landings and practice flights and are generally established at or near operational airfields.
E-tenders floated
According to AAI, e-tenders have been floated under Round-III (Phase-I) for setting up FTOs at airports located in Keshod, Kadapa, Hubballi, Tuticorin, Kishangarh, Dholera and Solapur.
The initiative is aligned with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and follows the mandate of the government to strengthen domestic aviation training infrastructure.
Speaking to businessline, industry participants said the move could help expand the country’s pilot training ecosystem and improve access to flying training facilities.
“Expanding the number of FTOs will help create additional training capacity and support the growing requirements of the aviation sector,” a senior aviation industry official said.
Another industry source said that locating FTOs at regional airports could help utilise available infrastructure while easing congestion at existing training bases.
“The expansion of training infrastructure at multiple airports will allow training organisations to scale operations and improve access to flying hours for trainee pilots,” he said.
As per official data, India currently has 38 Directorate General of Civil Aviation-approved Flying Training Organisations operating at 57 flying bases, with training facilities run by government, state government and private operators.
Recent data submitted to Parliament highlights the scale of India’s aviation workforce and the importance of training infrastructure.
Pilot crunch
Last year, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol informed the Lok Sabha that India will require around 30,000 pilots over the next 15-20 years to meet the growing demand in the aviation sector.
Currently, India has 25,001 active pilots holding licences issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
The data showed that the total includes 10,261 airline transport pilot licence (ATPL) holders, while 12,480 pilots hold commercial pilot licences (CPL) for aeroplanes and 777 CPL holders for helicopters.
In addition, 1,477 pilots hold private pilot licences for aeroplanes and six for helicopters, according to the written reply in Parliament.
Against this backdrop, aviation industry observers said expanding training infrastructure could help increase the number of flying bases available for pilot training and support future demand for skilled aviation personnel.
Published on March 8, 2026