Air India to launch country's first airline-operated flying school

Aspiring pilots without any flying experience will be able to enroll in the full-time academy, which offers a direct pathway to Air India's cockpit after completing subsequent stages of training.

This represents a significant shift in how Indian airlines have traditionally trained pilots. Previously, major carriers like IndiGo and SpiceJet set up branded training programs affiliated with independent flight schools in India and abroad. For example, IndiGo has partnerships with seven flight schools.

Air India has chosen to acquire around 30 single-engine and four multi-engine aircraft from the American company Piper and the European manufacturer Diamond.

Air India aims to control the supply of the next generation of pilots, with the school being a crucial part of the national carrier?s long-term talent pipeline. Additionally, the airline wants to ensure the quality of training, addressing gaps in the quality of training provided by flying schools in India, which often forces students to seek training abroad.

The Tata-group-owned airline has placed an order for 470 aircraft, and CEO Campbell Wilson stated that they will induct one new aircraft every six days in 2024.

The government is encouraging the promotion of commercial pilot training within India, as over 40% of students currently go abroad for training, which can cost as much as Rs 10.5-20 billion.