Air India & Airbus Launch Advanced Pilot Training Hub in Gurugram

India’s aviation sector is taking off like never before. With air travel demand growing at record pace and airlines rapidly expanding their fleets, the need for world-class training facilities for pilots and aviation professionals has never been greater.

Rising to meet this challenge, Air India and Airbus have joined hands to establish an advanced pilot training hub at the Air India Aviation Training Academy in Gurugram, Haryana—set to become a cornerstone of India’s aviation growth story.

The state-of-the-art facility, spread across 12,000 square metres, was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, in the presence of Christian Scherer, Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Aircraft, Airbus, and Campbell Wilson, MD & CEO of Air India, along with dignitaries from Tata Group, Air India, and Airbus.

A Global-Standard Training Hub

The facility, established as a 50:50 joint venture between Air India and Airbus, is designed to train more than 5,000 new pilots over the next decade, catering to the surging demand for skilled aviators.

Equipped with 10 Full Flight Simulators (FFSs), advanced classrooms, and briefing rooms, the center will provide specialized training for the Airbus A320 and A350 aircraft families. Importantly, its courses have been approved by both the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)—ensuring that Indian pilots are trained to the highest global standards.

Currently, the center houses two simulators for Airbus A320 aircraft, with six more for the A320 and two for the A350 to be added in phases. With this hub, Air India is consolidating its nationwide training infrastructure at Gurugram, streamlining pilot development under one roof.

South Asia’s Largest Aviation Training Academy

The Gurugram Aviation Training Academy, set up in 2024, is already South Asia’s largest aviation training institute. On any given day, more than 2,000 aviation professionals undergo training here. Over the coming years, the academy aims to train more than 50,000 professionals, spanning pilots, cabin crew, ground staff, engineering teams, and security personnel.

The academy also houses best-in-class training for Safety and Emergency Procedures (SEP), service training, grooming, voice and accent modules for cabin crew, and specialized training for ground and security staff covering departure control, customer service, and airport safety.

Expanding Aviation Training Infrastructure

Beyond Gurugram, Air India is also investing heavily in aviation training across India:

• Flying Training Organisation (FTO) in Amravati, Maharashtra: Set to be South Asia’s largest, this DGCA-licensed FTO at Belora airport will graduate around 180 commercial pilots every year, supporting Air India’s fleet expansion plans.
• Basic Maintenance Training Organisation (BMTO) in Bengaluru: Located near Air India’s upcoming Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility, the BMTO will launch in FY27. It will offer a two-year DGCA-certified Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) program, followed by two years of hands-on training at the MRO.

Building the Future of Indian Aviation

With India poised to become the world’s third-largest aviation market, the establishment of the Airbus-Air India training hub marks a major milestone.

By combining world-class infrastructure, global-standard training programs, and a vision to create a highly skilled workforce, this initiative not only addresses the growing demand for pilots but also strengthens India’s position as a global aviation powerhouse.

For more aerospace news, check out JetlineIntel.
Want to buy aviation merchandise? Visit Jetshop.in.
To read Jetlinemarvel’s updates on Google News, head over to Google News.