Air India and Airbus have inaugurated a modern pilot training center at the Air India Aviation Training Academy in Gurugram, Haryana. This advanced facility is designed to train more than 5,000 new pilots over the next decade, supporting the rapid expansion of India’s commercial aviation sector.
Inauguration and Key Dignitaries
The 50:50 joint venture facility was inaugurated by Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, with Airbus CEO Christian Scherer, Air India MD & CEO Campbell Wilson, and senior representatives from Tata Group, Air India, and Airbus in attendance.
Facility Features
Spanning 12,000 sq metres, the centre houses 10 Full Flight Simulators (FFSs), advanced classrooms, and briefing rooms. Courses focus on Airbus A320 and A350 aircraft families and are approved by DGCA and EASA, meeting international standards. Currently, two A320 simulators are operational, with six more A320 and two A350 simulators scheduled for progressive installation.
Strategic Importance
Jürgen Westermeier, President & MD of Airbus India and South Asia, highlighted the facility as a strategic investment in Indian aviation and a reflection of Airbus’ commitment to India’s aerospace growth. Campbell Wilson emphasized that the center will support Air India’s expansion, with 570 new aircraft on order, and contribute to building a self-reliant Indian aviation infrastructure.
Consolidation of Training Infrastructure
The Gurugram Aviation Training Academy, South Asia’s largest, was established in 2024 and currently trains over 2,000 aviation professionals daily. Over the coming years, it is expected to train more than 50,000 professionals, including pilots, cabin crew, ground handling, engineering, and security personnel. The academy provides world-class immersive training with a focus on safety, emergency procedures, service, grooming, and customer interactions.
Additional Training Initiatives
Air India is also establishing South Asia’s largest Flying Training Organisation (FTO) at Belora airport in Amravati, Maharashtra, targeting 180 commercial pilot graduates annually. Additionally, a Basic Maintenance Training Organization (BMTO) near the new Bengaluru MRO facility will offer a four-year program, combining two years of integrated Aircraft Maintenance Engineering education with two years of practical on-job training.
