Air India orders 34 trainer aircraft for FTO
FTO to open by 2025, boosting India’s aviation training
Air India ordered 31 single-engine aircraft from Piper Aircraft, USA, and 3 twin-engine aircraft from Diamond Aircraft, Austria
Tata Group carrier Air India, has ordered 34 trainer aircraft to support the upcoming Flying Training Organisation (FTO) in Amravati, Maharashtra, set to become South Asia's largest, with pilot training commencing by 2025.
Air India ordered 31 single-engine aircraft from Piper Aircraft, USA, and 3 twin-engine aircraft from Diamond Aircraft, Austria
In a move to set a new benchmark in aviation training, Air India, the second-largest carrier, has placed an order for 34 trainer aircraft to support the development of South Asia’s largest Flying Training Organisation (FTO) in Amravati, Maharashtra. Slated to begin operations by the second half of 2025.
In a press statement, Air India says that it has ordered 31 single-engine aircraft from Piper Aircraft, USA, and 3 twin-engine aircraft from Diamond Aircraft, Austria.
It adds that the trainer aircraft, set for delivery in 2025, will feature glass cockpits, G1000 avionics, and Jet A1 engines for advanced pilot training.
Air India says that the FTO is a key step in Air India’s Vihaan.AI programme, enhancing training infrastructure and developing a pipeline of pilots as the airline expands its fleet and becomes self-reliant.
Sunil Bhaskaran
The statement adds that, as part of its aviation training investment, Air India opened South Asia’s largest Aviation Training Academy in Gurugram. It is also the first airline in India to establish an FTO. In Amravati, Air India is developing a state-of-the-art 10-acre training facility with digital classrooms, hostels, a digitized operations centre, and a maintenance facility to enhance efficiency and safety.
“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. With this order of 34 trainer aircraft to support South Asia’s largest Flying Training Organisation, we are delighted to be playing a part in building the aviation infrastructure India needs as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets and to support the government’s vision for an Atmanirbhar Bharat,” says Sunil Bhaskaran, Director, Aviation Academy, Air India.
