The Airports Authority of India has completed the tender process for 11 new Flying Training Organisation slots at seven of its airports. The expansion is projected to add up to 120 training aircraft and lift annual output to about 1,500 aviation professionals, as India works to meet a requirement of over 30,000 additional pilots in the next decade.
Pilot training
Airlines across the world continue to face concerns over pilot shortages in 2026, even as carriers expand recruitment campaigns, raise salaries, and invest heavily in accelerated flight training programmes.
A senior training leader at Boeing has highlighted the growing role of virtual training tools in shaping the next generation of pilots.
Training a fighter pilot for the United States Air Force (USAF) at bases such as Washington involves multi-year instruction pipelines and millions of dollars in taxpayer investment.
Jet2.com (LS) has reopened applications for its fully funded Jet2FlightPath pilot training programme for 2026, offering at least 60 aspiring aviators the opportunity to qualify without covering training costs that typically exceed £100,000.
Cathay Pacific (CX) is expanding its global footprint as regional tensions reshape travel patterns and expose vulnerabilities for airlines operating across Asia.
India is facing a pressing shortage of pilots, with the Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu warning that approximately 30,000 new pilots will be required to man the 1,700 aircraft currently on order by domestic airlines.
IndiGo Airlines (6E), India’s largest airline by market share, is preparing to roll out Evidence-Based Training (EBT) programs for its pilots in a move aimed at enhancing flight safety, operational efficiency, and decision-making.
The United States Air Force (USAF) is preparing to integrate the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk into its pilot training program, marking a major shift in how future aviators will be trained.
Swiss International Airlines (LX) has significantly changed its pilot training financing structure, from June 2025