Gurugram: Air India and Airbus have inaugurated a state-of-the-art Advanced Pilot Training Hub at the Air India Aviation Training Academy in Gurugram, Haryana. The facility is set to train over 5,000 new pilots over the next decade, supporting India’s rapid growth in commercial aviation.
The 50:50 joint venture pilot training hub was officially opened by Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, alongside Christian Scherer, CEO of Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, and Campbell Wilson, MD & CEO of Air India. Other key dignitaries from the Tata Group, Air India, and Airbus also attended the ceremony.
Spanning 12,000 sq. metres, the pilot training hub features 10 Full Flight Simulators (FFSs), advanced classrooms, and briefing rooms. The center specializes in training pilots for Airbus A320 and A350 aircraft families.
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Currently, two A320 simulators are operational, with the remaining six A320 and two A350 simulators to be installed progressively. All courses are DGCA and EASA-approved, aligning with the highest global training standards.
Pilot Training Hub: Strategic Investment in India’s Aviation Future
Jürgen Westermeier, President & MD, Airbus India and South Asia, said, “This training center reflects our commitment to India as a strategic aviation hub and represents a long-term investment in the future of the Indian aerospace industry.”
Campbell Wilson, MD & CEO, Air India, added, “With 570 new aircraft on order, this pilot training hub will train and upskill pilots who will drive Air India’s vision of becoming a world-class airline. This facility strengthens India’s self-reliance in aviation infrastructure.”
Consolidating Pilot Training Across India
The Gurugram facility consolidates Air India’s pilot training operations from across the country under the Aviation Training Academy. Established in 2024, the academy currently trains over 2,000 aviation professionals daily and aims to train over 50,000 in the coming years, covering pilots, cabin crew, ground handling, engineering, and security personnel.
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The academy also provides advanced training for cabin crew, including Safety and Emergency Procedures (SEP), service, grooming, and voice-accent training, while ground staff training includes departure control, customer service, and airport security.
Expanding Training Ecosystem Nationwide
Air India is simultaneously establishing South Asia’s largest Flying Training Organisation (FTO) at Amravati, Maharashtra, licensed by DGCA, aiming to graduate 180 commercial pilots annually.
Additionally, a Basic Maintenance Training Organisation (BMTO) will launch near Air India’s new MRO facility in Bengaluru by FY27, offering a two-year DGCA-certified Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) program with on-the-job training at the MRO.
