Questions:

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-

(a) whether there is a shortage of pilot training schools
(b) if so, the steps being taken by Government to increase the same
(c) whether there is a plan to open new pilot training schools and
(d) if so, the details where these schools are being opened in the country including
Haryana?

Answer

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
(GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

(a) Currently, there are 36 Flying Training Organizations (FTOs) in the country
operating at 57 bases which are imparting flying training to cadets. In the year
2022, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a record 1165
Commercial Pilot Licenses (CPLs) to cater to the requirement of the industry.

(b) to (d) Steps taken by the Government to increase pilot training schools are as
follows:-

(i) In 2020, Ministry of Civil Aviation approved liberalized FTO guidelines
wherein the concept of airport royalty (revenue share payment by FTOs to AAI)
has been abolished and land rentals have been significantly rationalized.

(ii) In 2021, after a competitive bidding process, AAI awarded nine FTO slots at
five airports at Belagavi (Karnataka), Jalgaon (Maharashtra), Kalaburagi
(Karnataka), Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh) and Lilabari (Assam). Currently, six of
these FTO slots are operational: one each at Jalgaon, Lilabari, Khajuraho, Belagavi
and two at Kalaburagi.

(iii) In June 2022, after a competitive bidding process, six more FTO slots were
awarded by AAI at five airports namely: Bhavnagar (Gujarat), Hubballi
(Karnataka), Kadapa (Andhra Pradesh), Kishangarh (Rajasthan) and Salem (Tamil
1954. SHRI KARTIKEYA SHARMA
Nadu). Currently, one FTO slot at Salem (Tamil Nadu) is operational.

(iv) DGCA modified its regulations to empower Flying Instructors with the right to
authorise flight operations at FTOs. This will help increase the flying hours and
aircraft utilisation at each FTO and lead to faster completion of the CPL
requirements.