India adds 11 new pilot training slots to curb 30,000‑plus pilot shortage

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has completed the tender process for 11 new Flying Training Organisation (FTO) slots at seven airports, under an e‑tender launched in February 2026. Technical bids were opened on 30 April 2026 and financial bids on 22 May 2026, with all sites awarded successfully.

The new slots are intended to meet a projected demand for more than 30,000‑31,800 additional pilots over the next decade, as the Ministry of Civil Aviation expects Indian carriers to acquire about 500 new aircraft and the airport network to expand by 50 airports. Initially the FTOs will add 60‑70 training aircraft, scaling to 110‑120, and are expected to train 400‑500 aviation professionals annually at the start, rising to roughly 1,500 per year when fully operational. The expansion aims to reduce reliance on foreign training, retain expenditure domestically, and make regional airports viable for ab‑initio pilot training.