Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu awards Letters of Intent for Establishment of 11 new FTO in country

The Civil Aviation Ministry, led by Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, awarded Letters of Intent for 11 new Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) at seven Airports Authority of India airports. The addition raises India’s annual pilot‑training capacity by about 750 cadets, taking the total to 41 FTOs operating from 63 bases. The minister highlighted a rise in Commercial Pilot Licences from 1,347 in 2024 to 1,652 in 2025 and noted that Indian airlines have 1,640 aircraft on order, with ~500 to be inducted in five years. Policy reforms cited include liberalising FTO policy, abolishing airport royalties, rationalising land rentals, digitising CPL examinations, and launching an FTO IFR Slot Booking app. The address also stressed safety and progress in indigenous trainer aircraft (HANSA‑3 NG).