Gujarat to Add Five More Flying Training Organisations

Gandhinagar: As India’s aviation sector enters a period of rapid expansion, Gujarat is emerging as one of the country’s centres for pilot training.

At present, Gujarat has five operational Flying Training Organisations. Four operate from state-owned airstrips at Mehsana and Amreli, while one functions at Bhavnagar Airport on land allotted by the Airports Authority of India.
The operational FTOs include Skynex Aero Pvt. Ltd. and Blue Ray Aviation Pvt. Ltd. at Mehsana; Vision Flying Training Institute and Gujarat Flying Club at Amreli; and Dunes Aviation Pvt. Ltd. at Bhavnagar, said Shri K.L. Bachani, Commissioner, Civil Aviation Department, Gujarat.

The state’s aviation ambitions are set to grow further, with five additional Flying Training Organisations under development. These upcoming facilities include Silver Oak Flying Training Institute at Mehsana, Aero Freyr Inc. at Amreli, Adiyogi Enterprise at Mandvi, and Vision Flying Training Institute and JITM Skills Pvt. Ltd. at Ankleshwar. Once operational, Gujarat will have a network of 10 Flying Training Organisations, making it one of India’s largest state-level pilot training ecosystems.

According to officials, the existing institutions have already made a significant contribution to aviation skill development. Collectively, Gujarat’s Flying Training Organisations have trained more than 5,200 aviation students, produced over 3,200 Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) holders and continue to train more than 200 aspiring pilots.

Among these institutions, the Gujarat Flying Club, originally established in 1958 at Vadodara Airport, remains one of India’s longest-running Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)-approved flying training institutions.

Beyond producing pilots, the expanding FTO ecosystem is expected to generate significant economic benefits. Each Flying Training Organisation requires substantial investment in aircraft, simulators, maintenance hangars, fuel infrastructure, classrooms, hostels and administrative facilities. Such investments are expected to strengthen Gujarat’s aviation economy while creating employment opportunities for commercial flying instructors, aircraft maintenance engineers, flight dispatchers, operations officers, safety professionals, administrative staff and ground support personnel.

Towns such as Mehsana, Amreli, Mandvi and Ankleshwar are expected to benefit from increased demand for hotels, hostels, restaurants, rental housing, transport services, healthcare, banking and retail establishments as students and aviation professionals relocate to these training centres.

The growing network of FTOs is also expected to stimulate allied sectors, including aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), aviation fuel services, flight simulators, aerospace manufacturing, drone pilot training, aviation software and consultancy services.

At the same time, greater utilisation of government-owned airports and airstrips will improve infrastructure efficiency while generating long-term revenue through lease premiums, land rentals, aircraft parking, hangar facilities and fuel sales.

Importantly, the availability of quality pilot training within the state can reduce dependence on expensive overseas or out-of-state training, making aviation careers more accessible to aspiring professionals.

These details were shared by the State Government today.