Schools Would Be Of "International Standard"

Positioning itself up to take advantage of India's aviation boom, the Punjab government announced Thursday the establishment of five pilot and cabin crew training schools in the Indian state, reported India News.

A state government spokesman announced that five pilot and cabin crew schools of "international standard" would be set up within this year. The government is likely to approach international flying schools to "set up shop."

ANN had reported in January, hundreds of Indian twenty-somethings were flocking to aviation institutions. However, about 500 pilots are needed each year, whereas only 200 pilots are being trained in India annually. There are 39 flying training schools in India.

Indian airlines project that they'll add 400 airplanes in the next four years -- and that's just passenger lines. India needs cargo and GA too. All of this in the world's second-most-populous nation.

The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation foresees a demand for 3,200 more pilots by 2010.

According to the spokesman, the government had already directed the chief secretary to approach the director general of civil aviation (DGCA) and Airports Authority of India (AAI) to seek early clearance for upgrade of facilities at the Ludhiana and Patiala airports.

On Wednesday the state government announced the establishment of an international airport at Mohali, adjoining state capital Chandigarh, and upgrades at other civil airports across Punjab.

FMI: http://punjabgovt.nic.in, http://dgca.nic.in, http://civilaviation.nic.in/aai/airport.htm