On January 18, Airbus announced a collaboration with Air India, owned by the Tata group, to establish a pilot training facility in Gurugram, Haryana. The initiative will be undertaken through a 50:50 joint venture between the two companies.
Covering an area of 3,300 square metres, the Tata Airbus training centre will feature 10 full flight simulators (FFS), along with flight training classrooms and briefing and debriefing rooms. This constitutes a comprehensive setup for Airbus Flight Training Devices, as stated by Airbus.
Operations From 2025
The aviation academy is set to train over 50,000 aviation professionals in the coming years once it becomes operational in early 2025. The facility will initially install four A320 Full Flight Simulators (FFS).
Over 10 years, it aims to provide A320 and A350 flight training to approximately 5,000 new pilots. The courses offered will be approved by India’s DGCA and the European aviation safety regulator, EASA, according to Airbus.
The aviation academy will not solely focus on pilot training; it will also provide training for cabin crew, ground handling, engineering, security staff, and more.
The leading European aviation company has collaborated with GMR Aero Technic to provide training courses in aircraft maintenance engineering at the latter’s facility in Hyderabad.
In this collaboration, Airbus will supply training materials, including trainee handbooks, examination databases, online access to customised Airbus training modules, and the Airbus Competence Training (ACT) for the Academy media package. Additionally, Airbus will conduct training for GMR instructors and ensure ongoing assessment of the training centre.
Make In India Pledge
Airbus has pledged to expand its manufacturing presence in India and aims to double its exports from the country in the coming years.
At Wings India 2024, Airbus President and Managing Director for Airbus India and South Asia, Remi Maillard, emphasised that India holds a crucial position in contributing to the global de-carbonization of the aviation industry.
“As the fastest expanding aviation market in the world, India will need 41,000 pilots and 47,000 technicians in the next 20 years to support this growth. The pilot training centre with Air India and the maintenance training partnership with GMR are a testament to Airbus’ commitment to developing human capital,” Rémi said.
Other Plans
Airbus has also entered into agreements with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) and Mahindra Aerospace Structures Private Limited (MASPL) for the acquisition of commercial aircraft components.
By the agreements, TASL and Mahindra Aerostructures will produce metallic detail parts, components, and assemblies designated for Airbus’ A320neo, A330neo, and A350 programs.
Both firms are already part of a network of over 100 Indian suppliers, contributing components, engineering, and digital services to various Airbus programs.
Commencing on January 18 at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad, Wings India 2024, the largest civil aviation event in Asia, was inaugurated by Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. The biennial event is organised through a collaboration between the Airports Authority of India, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and FICCI and is set to span four days.
The current instalment of Wings India will present a diverse array of displays featuring new-generation aircraft, along with allied aviation services, auxiliary unit industries, and innovations in the tourism sector. Wings India 2024 is organised under the overarching theme of ‘Connecting India with the World in Amritkal.’
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