Air India Orders 34 Trainer Aircraft for South Asia’s Largest Flying Training Organisation in Amravati
Air India Orders 34 Trainer Aircraft for South Asia’s Largest Flying Training Organisation in Amravati
Air India, India’s top airline, has ordered 34 trainer aircraft as part of its plan to start training cadet pilots at South Asia’s largest Flying Training Organisation (FTO) in Amravati, Maharashtra, by the second half of 2025, pending regulatory approvals.
The order includes 31 single-engine aircraft from Piper Aircraft in the United States and 3 twin-engine aircraft from Diamond Aircraft in Austria. The FTO is a major step in Air India’s efforts to strengthen its pilot training infrastructure as part of its Vihaan.AI transformation program. It aims to create a steady pipeline of pilots as the airline expands its fleet and becomes more self-reliant. The trainer aircraft, set to be delivered starting in 2025, will feature advanced technology, including glass cockpits, G1000 avionics systems, and Jet A1 engines, to provide high-quality training for future pilots. The FTO, located at Belora airport in Amravati, will aim to graduate 180 commercial pilots each year.
“The new FTO is an important step in expanding our training capabilities and ensuring a steady supply of qualified pilots for Air India and the Indian aviation industry. With this order of 34 trainer aircraft, we are contributing to the development of the aviation infrastructure India needs as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world,” said Sunil Bhaskaran, Director of Aviation Academy at Air India.
As part of its investment in training, Air India also opened a new Aviation Training Academy in Gurugram, the largest of its kind in South Asia, covering 600,000 square feet. Air India is the first Indian airline to set up an FTO, which will play a key role in strengthening India’s aviation industry.
At the FTO in Amravati, Air India is building a modern training institute on a 10-acre site, with digitally equipped classrooms, hostels, a digital operations center, and a maintenance facility to improve efficiency. The FTO is designed to provide top-notch training with a strong focus on safety.
