Centre issues LoIs for 11 new flying training schools; annual pilot training capacity to increase by 750 cadets

The Centre on Tuesday issued Letters of Intent (LoIs) for the establishment of 11 new Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) across seven airports operated by Airports Authority of India (AAI), in a significant step towards strengthening the country’s aviation training infrastructure.

With the addition of these 11 FTOs, India’s annual pilot training capacity is expected to increase by 750 cadets, providing a significant boost to the domestic training ecosystem, according to a Ministry of Civil Aviation statement.

“India has already witnessed the establishment of six new FTOs over the last two years. During this period, the number of training aircraft available with Indian FTOs has increased from 324 to 385, resulting in a 25% rise in annual flying hours across the pilot training ecosystem. This is not just expansion in numbers; it is a clear improvement in training capacity and operational utilisation,” Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu said at an event.

The number of Commercial Pilot Licences (CPLs) issued rose from 1,347 in 2024 to 1,652 in 2025, the highest annual number issued in the last decade.

The Minister also said the manufacturing ecosystem for trainer aircraft and seaplanes would be strengthened.