Pilot training gets major boost as India clears 11 new flying schools

New Delhi, August 6, 2026: India is expanding pilot training capacity as domestic airlines prepare to add hundreds of aircraft over the next few years. The government has awarded Letters of Intent to 11 Flying Training Organisations, which will establish bases at seven Airports Authority of India airports, according to a PTI report.

The new training centres are expected to add capacity for about 750 cadets every year. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said the government is also working on a domestic manufacturing system for trainer aircraft and seaplanes. Better training infrastructure is being planned with aviation regulator DGCA.

India may need 25,000 more pilots by 2035

Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha said the country could require around 25,000 additional pilots by 2035. This would mean issuing nearly 2,500 commercial pilot licences every year.

India issued 1,652 Commercial Pilot Licences in 2025, up from 1,347 in 2024. According to the minister, this was the highest number recorded in a decade.

The demand is being driven by a large aircraft order book. Indian airlines have placed orders for 1,640 aircraft. Nearly 500 of them are expected to join airline fleets over the next five years.

For a student dreaming of a cockpit job, the numbers may look encouraging. The training process, though, still involves high costs, long flying-hour requirements and limited seats at established schools.

Training aircraft numbers rise

India added six Flying Training Organisations over the past two years. The number of training aircraft increased from 324 to 385 during the same period.

Annual flying hours rose by 25 per cent, according to figures shared by the minister. More aircraft can help cadets complete mandatory flying hours without long gaps caused by limited availability.

Naidu said, “Our vision is clear, Train in India, Fly in India.”

The government wants more students to complete their training within the country instead of moving abroad for flying hours and licences.

New app launched for training slots

Naidu also launched the FTO IFR Slot Booking App. The app is meant to help training organisations book slots for Instrument Flight Rules operations.