India's Aviation Boom: A Flight Plan for 30,000 Pilots

India's aviation sector is poised for growth, with a need for 30,000 new pilots over the next 15-20 years due to a surge in aircraft orders. The Ministry of Civil Aviation is working to enhance training through 38 Flying Training Organisations and aims to make India a global training hub.

India's aviation industry is gearing up for massive growth, requiring 30,000 new pilots over the next 15-20 years, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced on Tuesday. This demand comes as domestic airlines have placed orders for over 1,700 new aircraft to expand their networks.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation is adopting a collective approach for industry advancement, including stringent evaluations of 38 Flying Training Organisations (FTOs). These organisations will be rated to ensure quality pilot training. The announcement was made during a function celebrating a Memorandum of Understanding for the order of 200 trainer aircraft.

With more than 800 planes currently in operation, the need for pilots is growing. India is positioned as one of the fastest-growing civil aviation markets globally. Efforts are also underway to categorise airports, exploring options for airports dedicated exclusively to cargo and FTOs, to further bolster the sector's infrastructure.

(With inputs from agencies.)