Tata Group-owned Air India has placed an order for 34 new trainer aircraft to support the training of cadet pilots at its upcoming Flying Training Organisation (FTO) at Belora Airport in Amravati, Maharashtra. The FTO, set to be South Asia’s largest, is scheduled to open in the second half of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.
The order includes 31 single-engine aircraft from U.S.-based Piper Aircraft and three twin-engine aircraft from Austria’s Diamond Aircraft. These advanced trainer aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art glass cockpits, G1000 avionics systems, and Jet A1 engines, designed to provide aspiring pilots with cutting-edge training. The selection of these aircraft is aimed at enhancing the overall quality of pilot training and ensuring that cadets are well-prepared for the demands of modern aviation.
The establishment of the FTO and the new trainer aircraft order reflects Air India’s commitment to developing a highly skilled workforce of pilots, contributing to the airline’s future growth and sustainability. With the growing demand for skilled pilots in India and across the world, this initiative will help create a new generation of aviators, trained with the latest technology and industry standards. The launch of the FTO is expected to not only boost the airline’s training capacity but also support the aviation ecosystem in India by providing high-quality, homegrown pilot training.
