Air India, India’s premier global airline, has taken a significant step towards strengthening the nation’s aviation training infrastructure by ordering 34 trainer aircraft. These aircraft will serve the airline’s ambitious Flying Training Organisation (FTO) set to become South Asia’s largest, located at Amravati’s Belora Airport in Maharashtra. The FTO is expected to commence operations in the latter half of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.
Aircraft Order Details
The order comprises:
- 31 single-engine aircraft from the U.S.-based Piper Aircraft.
- 3 twin-engine aircraft from Austria’s Diamond Aircraft.
Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2025, equipping the FTO with advanced trainer aircraft featuring glass cockpits, G1000 avionics systems, and Jet A1 engines. These technologies promise to provide aspiring pilots with world-class training.
A Milestone in Air India’s Vihaan.AI Program
The establishment of the FTO is part of Air India’s transformative Vihaan.AI program, aimed at making India’s aviation ecosystem self-reliant. The FTO will graduate approximately 180 commercial pilots annually, creating a robust pipeline of skilled aviators to support Air India’s expanding fleet and the Indian aviation sector at large.
“The new FTO is a strategic move to exponentially expand our training infrastructure and our commitment to building a self-reliant ecosystem of qualified pilots for both Air India and the Indian aviation industry,” said Sunil Bhaskaran, Director of Air India’s Aviation Academy. “With this order of 34 trainer aircraft, we are delighted to contribute to the government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and build the aviation infrastructure India needs as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets.”
World-Class Training Facilities
Spanning 10 acres, the FTO in Amravati is designed to rival global training academies with:
- Digitally enabled classrooms.
- A digitized operations center.
- State-of-the-art maintenance facilities.
- On-campus hostels.
Safety and operational efficiency are at the core of the FTO’s curriculum, ensuring that graduates meet the highest global standards.
Air India’s Commitment to Training Excellence
The FTO aligns with Air India’s broader investments in aviation training. In 2024, the airline inaugurated South Asia’s largest Aviation Training Academy in Gurugram, spread over 600,000 square feet. This facility has become a cornerstone of Air India’s efforts to enhance training standards across the region.
The Air India Group: Leading Indian Aviation
The Air India group, comprising Air India and low-cost regional carrier Air India Express, is spearheading a renaissance in Indian aviation. Under the ownership of Tata Sons since 2022, the group has embarked on a transformative journey, including:
- The 2023 record-breaking order of 470 new aircraft.
- Successful mergers of Air Asia India and Vistara into Air India Express and Air India, respectively, in 2024.
- Construction of a greenfield maintenance base, set to be operational by 2026.
- A full interior refit of all existing aircraft.
A Vision for the Future
As Air India prepares to open its new FTO and continues its five-year transformation journey, the airline is poised to redefine global aviation standards with a distinctly Indian heart. By investing in training infrastructure and state-of-the-art technology, Air India is not only securing its future but also contributing to India’s emergence as a global aviation hub.
