By R Chandrakanth
Hyderabad. India’s aviation growth story has been defined by record aircraft orders, aggressive airport expansion and the emergence of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). But at Wings India 2026, a consistent refrain echoed across panel discussions, OEM briefings and industry forums: without a dramatic scale-up in human capital, the sector’s ambitions risk outpacing its workforce.
With Indian carriers having ordered well over 1,000 aircraft in the past two years alone, and regional aviation, business aviation and AAM platforms preparing to enter service, the demand for trained pilots, engineers, air traffic personnel and ground staff is expected to surge to unprecedented levels.
The numbers are stark. By 2035, India will require an estimated 35,000 pilots and a similar number of maintenance technicians to support projected fleet and operational growth. Training demand is expected to grow 2.5 times over the next decade, reaching approximately $0.8 billion in value.At present, India has more than 45 flight training organisations (FTOs), over 50 basic maintenance training institutes and upwards of 30 full-flight simulators. While that base appears substantial, industry leaders say it is insufficient for the scale of expansion ahead.
“This is not incremental growth. This is structural transformation,” one senior executive said during an Airbus media briefing. “Fleet expansion of this magnitude requires an equally ambitious talent pipeline.”
Airbus, which has a significant stake in India’s aircraft backlog, stressed that human capital development must move in parallel with aircraft induction. Major airlines and MRO providers are investing in in-house academies, simulator capacity and technical training centres. Airbus is supporting these initiatives through curriculum development, digital learning platforms and simulator integration partnerships.
Yet, the consensus at Wings India was clear that the current capacity will not meet future demand unless scaled rapidly and strategically.
AAM Adds a New Layer of Complexity
Compounding the challenge is the rise of Advanced Air Mobility, including electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, which is expected to begin limited operations in the coming decade.
AAM panel discussions at Wings India highlighted that these platforms will require a hybrid workforce: pilots trained in new-generation cockpit systems, ground crews capable of managing high-voltage electric propulsion systems, and airspace managers equipped to handle low-altitude urban corridors.
Unlike conventional aviation, AAM operations will likely blend elements of rotorcraft, fixed-wing and digital traffic management systems. That means training frameworks will need to evolve beyond traditional licensing models.“Advanced air mobility is not just about aircraft certification and infrastructure,” a panellist observed. “It is about building a new category of aviation professionals.”
Regulators, too, will need personnel trained in certifying and overseeing these emerging technologies. From vertiport operations to battery management and predictive maintenance analytics, AAM introduces skill sets that are only beginning to be formalised globally.
Regional and Business Aviation Drive Demand
India’s regional connectivity push and business aviation growth further intensify workforce needs.
The next phase of the UDAN scheme is expected to increase operations in remote and underserved regions. Mountain flying, offshore support and short-haul commuter routes demand specialised pilot training and operational experience.
Business aviation, including helicopters and small jets, is also projected to expand as corporate mobility and high-value transport grow. However, industry participants at Wings India noted that helicopter and general aviation training pipelines are particularly thin, with experienced instructors in short supply.In both segments, the challenge is not only about numbers but about quality and mission-specific competence.
Simulator and Infrastructure Bottlenecks
Flight simulators are a critical bottleneck. While India has more than 30 full-flight simulators, fleet diversification, including narrowbody, widebody, turboprop and potentially eVTOL types , will require additional device capacity.Sending pilots overseas for type-rating training increases costs and exposes operators to scheduling delays. Expanding domestic simulator infrastructure would reduce dependency and improve resilience.
Similarly, maintenance training must keep pace with increasingly digital and avionics-heavy aircraft. Modern fleets incorporate advanced fly-by-wire systems, predictive diagnostics and software-driven maintenance regimes. Training institutions must upgrade curricula and equipment accordingly.Airbus and other OEMs have indicated willingness to localise more training support in India, but that will require policy facilitation and private investment.
Another theme that emerged at Wings India was the importance of domestic trainer aircraft manufacturing. Producing basic trainer platforms locally could expand capacity while reducing foreign exchange outflows and reliance on imported aircraft.Integrating advanced avionics and digital systems into training aircraft would ensure that new pilots transition seamlessly to modern commercial fleets.Industry leaders argued that aligning training infrastructure with India’s long-term aviation ambition, to become a global hub by 2047 demands a coordinated national strategy.
MRO Workforce Pressures
Maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) is another area under strain. As aircraft numbers rise, so does the demand for certified engineers and technicians.India has made strides in developing domestic MRO capability, but workforce depth remains a concern. Airlines and third-party MRO providers are establishing in-house training centres, yet scaling to tens of thousands of technicians will require systemic expansion of maintenance institutes and instructor pools.
Retention poses a parallel challenge. Skilled personnel are globally mobile, and competitive international markets may attract Indian-trained pilots and engineers unless compensation and career progression remain attractive.
Human capital requirements extend beyond cockpit and hangar. Air traffic management will need more controllers trained in advanced digital systems and integrated airspace environments, especially if AAM operations introduce new traffic layers.Ground handling, dispatch, safety management systems and operational planning functions must also expand proportionately.
Wings India discussions underscored that aviation is an ecosystem. Aircraft induction without proportional investment in manpower risks operational strain, safety vulnerabilities and inefficiencies.The global aviation industry has previously experienced workforce shortages that disrupted schedules and inflated costs. For India, where growth rates outpace global averages, the risks are magnified.Industry representatives emphasised that human capital planning must be proactive, not reactive.
As one senior participant summed up at Wings India: “Aircraft can be ordered in a year. Building world-class aviation professionals takes a decade.”
