India’s aviation boom demands 30,000 pilots over the next 15–20 years, Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu announced Tuesday, as domestic airlines expand with orders for over 1,700 aircraft, joining the current fleet of 800-plus planes. Speaking at an MoU signing event for 200 trainer aircraft, Naidu underscored the urgency of bolstering pilot training.

“With 6,000–7,000 active pilots now, India must become a pilot training hub,” he said. The MoU between the Aero Club of India and Sakthi Aircraft Industries will supply indigenously made trainers to Flying Training Organisations (FTOs), cutting reliance on imports.

“This is a game-changer for empowering skilled pilots,” Naidu posted on X, hailing the collaboration as a boost to India’s aviation ecosystem.

The ministry is reviewing 38 FTOs, introducing a rating system, and strategizing airport categorization—potentially designating some for cargo and training—to meet demand.

India’s aviation market, among the world’s fastest-growing, saw 150.3 lakh passengers in January 2025, up 0.7% from December 2024 and 14.5% from January 2024, per an ICRA report. Traffic also exceeded pre-Covid January 2020 levels by 17.9%, signaling robust growth.

Naidu linked the pilot shortage to fleet expansion, with airlines like IndiGo and Air India driving orders to capture rising demand. The government aims to fortify infrastructure and training to sustain this trajectory, creating jobs and cementing India’s global aviation clout.