Air India to set up south Asia?s largest FTO in Amravati

02 Jul 2024 CW Team

The Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) has announced the establishment of South Asia?s largest Flying Training Organisation (FTO) in Amravati, Maharashtra, which will be operated by Tata-owned Air India. This new DGCA-licensed FTO at Belora Airport is set to be operational by the first quarter of FY26, with an annual target of training 180 commercial pilots.

?The FTO at Amravati will be a significant step towards making Indian aviation more self-reliant and providing more opportunities for Indian youth to fulfill their ambitions of becoming pilots. The young pilots emerging from this FTO will support Air India?s goal of becoming a world-class airline as it continues its transformation journey,? said Campbell Wilson, MD & CEO of Air India.

According to a release, the Air India FTO will have 31 single-engine and three twin-engine aircraft available for training, making it the first of its kind for any Indian airline. MADC has awarded Air India a 30-year contract to build and operate this FTO in Amravati.

Swati Pandey, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, MADC, stated, "This collaborative initiative between MADC and Air India will not only boost Maharashtra?s economy by creating over 3,000 new jobs in the aviation sector but also generate employment in various allied activities, contributing over Rs 10 billion to the state?s GDP over the next decade."

Pandey added, "The establishment of South Asia?s largest FTO will encourage students in Maharashtra to pursue careers in aviation, instilling a sense of inspiration and pride for the state and the nation."

Earlier this year, Air India announced the opening of its new Training Academy in Gurugram, the largest in South Asia, spanning 600,000 square feet, as part of its commitment to investing in aviation training. The addition of this new FTO in Amravati will further strengthen Air India's role in advancing India's aviation ecosystem. (Source: ET)

Infrastructure Urban

15 Oct 2025

MoD Spends Over 50% of FY26 Defence Capital Outlay by September

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has utilised more than 50 per cent of its capital outlay for FY 2025–26 by the end of September. The capital expenditure stands at Rs 922,114.4 million (51.23 per cent) out of the total allocation of Rs 18 billion. In the previous fiscal, MoD had fully utilised its capital budget of Rs 1,597,684 million. This strong expenditure pace will ensure timely delivery of major platforms such as aircraft, ships, submarines, and weapon systems vital for the modernisation of the Armed Forces. Most of the spending has been on aircraft and aero engines, followed by land sys..

Centre Plans Easier Green Clearances for New Airports

The central government is preparing to streamline environmental clearance procedures for airport projects to accelerate infrastructure development across the country. According to officials, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) is working with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to establish a single-window mechanism for faster approval of greenfield and brownfield airports. The proposal seeks to reduce the time required for obtaining environmental clearance by simplifying inter-ministerial coordination and standardising assessment parameters. The move is part of ..

Beer Makers Urge Import Relaxation Amid Aluminium Can Shortage

India’s domestic beer manufacturers have urged the government to relax import rules and cut duties on aluminium cans as the industry faces a severe shortage of packaging material. The shortage, driven by rising demand and limited local supply, has disrupted production schedules for several breweries. Industry representatives have written to the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Finance, seeking temporary relief through faster import approvals and reduced customs duties. They warn that the situation could impact the availability of beer across key markets during the festive season. A..