AI to get Rs 342 cr from Boeing to train pilots

New Delhi: Air India will get Rs 342 crore ($85 million) from aircraft manufacturer Boeing to train pilots. The funding for training is part of the national carrier’s deal to buy 68 aircraft from Boeing.
The funding for training is in addition to $100 million Boeing would organise to set up an MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) in collaboration with Air India.
Air India faces shortage of pilots and training is critical to meet the shortfall. While the country produces 500 commercial pilots every year, demand is growing by 800 –– leaving a shortfall of 300 pilots every year. The gap, at present, is being filled by hiring foreign pilots. An additional 2,400 pilots would be required by the civil aviation sector by 2010 as the number of aircraft in the country would nearly double by then.
According to Boeing sources, Air India has started using the funding from Boeing for providing training to pilots. The airline is also expected to provide financial assistance to flying schools in the country to train pilots from there.
“Air India would give $10 million to various flying institutes in the country,” the source said. Pilots being trained now by Air India would be trained to fly bigger planes such as B777-200 and B777-300.
04/08/07 Nirbhay Kumar/Economic Times