Air India's Pilot Training Institute at Amravati to be South Asia's Largest: Maharashtra CM
Amravati officially joined India's aviation map with the safe landing of the first commercial flight from Mumbai at the newly opened Amravati Airport in Belora, 15 km south of the city. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the demo flight of the Air India Flight Training Organisation's (FTO) and said that the upcoming pilot training institute at the airport will be the biggest in South Asia.
The CM, accompanied by Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, announced that the FTO will become operational early next year. "This is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s gift to Amravati. The institute will train 180 students annually and will operate with 34 aircraft. This will provide a significant growth impetus to the western Vidarbha region," Fadnavis said, also promising to expand the current 1,850m runway to 3,000m to accommodate larger aircraft.
Looking at his own relationship with the city, Fadnavis further said, "Whenever there is development in Amravati, it makes my mother, who is from here, happy. I owe this place." He also pointed toward major initiatives such as the PM Mitra Textile Park, Samruddhi Mahamarg, Wainganga-Nalganga river connecting project, and the Dhanaji Deshmukh Krishi Samruddhi Yojana as significant strides toward converting the arid region.
Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu, who was on the occasion, appreciated Amravati Airport's strategic location and assured Air India's commitment to establishing the FTO at the location. "With 1,700 aircraft to be added to India's fleet in the near future, we will require 30,000 pilots. The Amravati FTO will be an important contributor to this requirement," he said.
Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol underscored the government's initiative to increase regional connectivity. "India today has 160 airports, and in 2027, the count will reach 400. Our endeavor is to make flying accessible to all citizens," he said.
Ajit Pawar congratulated the MADC for completing the airport and asked Alliance Air to provide uninterrupted service between Amravati and Mumbai. He also recommended changing the flight times to morning hours and reiterated support to the demand to confer Bharat Ratna posthumously on Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh.
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde emphasized the role of political will to implement such big projects.
