Quantcast

Air India orders planes for pilot training amid major fleet expansion

Asia's airlines blame supply chain woes for disrupted operations
Qantas and Qatar Airways: Planned partnership in the Australian aviation industry under the microscope
Riyadh Air plans new jet order decision early next year
Calls for a blanket ban on politicians receiving free flight upgrades
Wizz Air Loses Challenge Against EU-Approved Romanian Aid for TAROM
Southwest, Other Airlines Plan a Shake-Up. Why They Need More to Boost Their Stocks.
One of Boeing's biggest customers leveled fresh criticism over ongoing 737 Max delivery delays
Low-Cost Airlines Innovate with Subscription Models
LA Considers $25 And $30 Minimum Wages For Hotel And Airport Workers
Airlines are on the hook for more than you think if something goes wrong with your trip
WA Labor & Industries plans to create new airline worker protections
Airlines must now give automatic refunds for significant delays. Here's what to know.
American Airlines Technical Operations, Fleet Service, Cargo and Central Load Planning team members ratify new agreement
Spirit Airlines Pursues Bankruptcy as a Path to Tie-Up With Frontier
American Airlines fined $50M for violating disability laws
Canada's flight attendant union applauds NDP bill to end unpaid work in the airline sector
American Airlines testing new technology that would crack down on boarding
Exciting New Airline Routes Coming to North
Another city ignores airport commission's advice, zones for housing near JWA
United shares hit pre-pandemic high after airline forecasts strong finish to 2024, plans buyback
Alaska Airlines Just Made Its Loyalty Program Even More Lucrative With New Rewards, Better Upgrades, and More
Food safety problem closes Detroit airline kitchen leaving 200 flights without meals
5 Reasons Why Kazakhstan's Air Astana Is Establishing Itself As A Key Player In Asian Aviation
JetBlue is no longer serving hot food in economy class on transatlantic flights
Video shows traveler hurl computer monitor at Frontier employees in Chicago
White House 'in touch' with airlines as hurricanes Helene, Milton spark price-gouging fears
Airline bans two items from luggage amid conflict in the Middle East
Turkish Airlines pilot dies midflight, leading to emergency landing in New York
Spirit Airlines Explores Bankruptcy Filing
Airlines turn to AI to allocate gates and cut waiting times
Air India orders planes for pilot training amid major fleet expansion
Policy
Webp 9d8e4n9zvnq6npvse1f7c4oouh5n
Airbus A380 | Airbus

Air India has placed an order for 34 aircraft to be used in its new Flying Training Organization (FTO) in Amravati, Maharashtra. The facility is scheduled to open in the latter half of 2025, pending regulatory approval.

The order includes 31 single-engine Piper Aircraft from the United States and three twin-engine Diamond Aircraft from Austria. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2025. These aircraft will feature glass cockpits, G1000 avionics systems, and Jet A1 engines to provide advanced training for aspiring pilots.

According to Air India Aviation Academy Director Sunil Bhaskaran, "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." He added, "With this order of 34 trainer aircraft to support South Asia's largest Flying Training Organization, 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."

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Air India's investment is part of its Vihaan.AI transformation program aimed at enhancing its training infrastructure. This initiative supports the airline's fleet expansion plans by meeting the demand for new pilots.

The Piper Archer DX single-engine aircraft offers durability and comfort, while the Diamond DA42 twin-engine aircraft provides safety with fuel efficiency similar to a single-engine plane.

Air India has also opened a new Aviation Training Academy in Gurugram, which spans over 600,000 square feet and is currently South Asia's largest. The upcoming FTO will cover more than 435,600 square feet and include digitally enabled classrooms, hostels, a digitized operations center, and maintenance facilities. It aims to graduate 180 commercial pilots annually once operational by FY26 at Amravati's Belora Airport.

Apart from training aircraft orders, Air India has been expanding its mainline fleet with significant jet orders. In 2023 alone, it ordered 470 Airbus and Boeing jets followed by another order for 100 more aircraft in 2024. This expansion aligns with India's position as the world's third-largest domestic market.

Since September 2023, Air India has received several deliveries including six A350-900s and 35 B737 MAX 8s. After merging with Vistara and AIX Connect (AirAsia India), Air India's fleet now consists of approximately 300 aircraft serving both domestic and international routes.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Long Beach Airport has entered into a 30-year lease agreement with JetZero, Inc., a company focused on next-generation aircraft design.

Oct 28, 2025

Passengers planning summer travel for 2026 can now book flights with Lufthansa Group Airlines, which has released its schedule featuring new destinations and increased frequencies.

Oct 28, 2025

Flying Food Group, Inc. has announced its Employees of the Month at its LAV facility.

Oct 28, 2025

Flying Food Group's San Francisco facility recently celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with its employees.

Oct 28, 2025

Etihad Airways has announced the launch of a new route connecting Abu Dhabi and Addis Ababa.

Oct 27, 2025

United Airlines has unveiled its Summer 2026 schedule, which includes new flights from Newark to Bari, Split, Santiago de Compostela, and Glasgow, as well as from Newark to Seoul and Washington, D.C., to Reykjavik.

Oct 27, 2025