Centre Working to Make AP an Aviation Hub, Says Ram Mohan Naidu

Kurnool: Union civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said on Saturday that the Centre is working towards developing Andhra Pradesh into a major aviation hub. For the purpose, it is creating an ecosystem covering pilot training, maintenance, ground operations, and airport management. He inaugurated the Orient Flights Aviation Academy at Kurnool Airport, a flight training organisation (FTO) promoted by the Hindustan Group, the first of its kind in Andhra Pradesh.

“Setting up the state’s first FTO in Kurnool is a historic development. We are not limiting aviation development in AP to building airports. We are working to create an entire ecosystem covering training, maintenance, ground operations, and airport management,” Ram Mohan Naidu said. He said the country's aviation sector had witnessed significant growth over the past decade. The number of airports has increased from 74 in 2014 to around 166 at present, while the number of aircraft and air passengers has also risen substantially.

“Role of FTOs is crucial in preparing the human resources required for the rapidly expanding aviation sector. The centre is taking steps to increase both the number and capacity of FTOs across the country,” the Union minister asserted. He observed that Kurnool has favourable weather conditions throughout the year, making it suitable for pilot training. He assured full support to the Orient Flights Aviation Academy and suggested that it expand its fleet from the present three aircraft to 10 at the earliest.

Ram Mohan Naidu said the Centre is working to extend aviation facilities beyond major cities to rural and remote areas. There are currently around 36 FTOs in the country, which would not be sufficient to meet future requirements. With airlines placing orders for around 1,600 aircraft, demand for trained pilots is expected to rise.

“Each aircraft may require 20 to 30 pilots. This means the country could require around 25,000 to 30,000 pilots over the next 10 to 15 years,” the Union minister explained. He maintained that the Centre wants Indian students to receive international-standard pilot training within the country, instead of going abroad.

He disclosed that recently, approvals have been given for 11 FTOs across the country. In Andhra Pradesh, apart from the one in Kurnool, two FTOs have been approved for Kadapa. A foundation stone has already been laid for an FTO at Rajamahendravaram, where an additional FTO is proposed. Bhogapuram too is emerging as an attractive location for FTOs, he stated.

Those who participated in the programme included Investments and Infrastructure minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy, Industries minister T.G. Bharath, MP Bastipati Nagaraju, several MLAs, collector Dr A. Siri and airport officials.