Airbus is investing in the future of Indian aviationAirbus is investing in the future of the Indian aviation sector, with the development of a major new training centre near Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport.
A ground-breaking ceremony for the Airbus India Training Centre was held last week, attended by P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju, India's Civil Aviation Minister, and Tom Enders, CEO of Airbus.
Covering almost 7,000m², the Indian facility will initially feature two Airbus A320 full flight simulators, eventually rising to six simulators. Once operational by the end of 2018, it will be able to train more than 800 pilots and 200 maintenance engineers every year.
“We have only scratched the surface when it comes to the growth of civil aviation in India. This training centre will be the first such facility fully owned by us in Asia. It is a symbol of our enduring partnership with this country,” said Enders.
India is the fastest growing domestic aviation market in the world, with growth expected to continue at an annual rate of 9.3% over the next 20 years, outpacing the world average of 4.6%. The number of trips per capita in India is expected to quadruple by 2035.
Airbus forecasts Indian demand for at least 1,600 new aircraft and 24,000 new pilots and engineers by 2035.
“India’s rapidly growing passenger aircraft fleet must be matched by adequate availability of skilled pilots and maintenance engineers. Airbus’ pilot and maintenance engineering training center is the type of facility which will help augment the talent pool of such personnel and thus be a force multiplier for the Indian aviation sector, said Minister Gajapathi Raju.
