AAI Completes Tender Process for 11 New Flying Training Organisations Across Seven Airports

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has completed the tender process for 11 new Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) across seven of its airports. The move aims to expand India’s pilot training capacity, reduce dependence on foreign flying schools, retain training expenditure within the country and improve the utilisation of regional airports.

The latest e-tender was launched in February 2026. Technical bids were opened on April 30, followed by financial bids on May 22. According to AAI, the tender process was successfully completed for all 11 FTO sites across seven airports, including Kadapa Airport in Andhra Pradesh and Thoothukudi Airport (formerly Tuticorin Airport) in Tamil Nadu.

The expansion comes as India prepares for rising demand for pilots. AAI has warned that without expanding domestic training capacity, the country’s projected requirement of more than 30,000 additional pilots cannot be met sustainably.

Over the next five years, around 500 more aircraft are expected to enter service, while the airport network is projected to expand by another 50 airports.

India currently has 41 DGCA-approved FTOs operating from 63 flying bases. The latest initiative builds on AAI’s earlier efforts to strengthen the country’s training ecosystem.

In 2021, AAI awarded nine FTO slots across five airports, followed by six more at another five airports in 2022. 

The AAI Board has also approved the allotment of airport land on a card-rate basis for 25 years at 20 airports, enabling developers to lease land at pre-fixed government-approved rates to establish new flying schools.

The 11 new FTOs are expected to induct 60 to 70 training aircraft initially, increasing to a combined fleet of 110 to 120 aircraft at full capacity. They will also be equipped with multiple flight simulators and other training devices. Initially, the facilities are expected to train 400 to 500 aviation professionals annually. At full capacity, they are projected to produce around 1,500 professionals every year, including 700 to 750 cadet pilots and trainees.

India has already recorded strong growth in pilot training. Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) issuances increased from 640 in 2018 to 1,628 in 2024.

Recent DGCA figures also highlight the rising demand, with the regulator issuing 615 CPLs to foreign-trained cadets and 2,309 Student Pilot Licences.

Alongside expanding training capacity, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has also introduced a ranking framework for DGCA-approved FTOs to improve transparency, encourage better performance and raise training standards across the sector.