Lok Sabha Question No. 2641 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-16
Subject: Skill Development in Aviation Sector
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Gowdar Mallikarjunappa Siddeshwara

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2641 (To be answered on the 16 th  March 2023)

## SKILL DEVELOPMENT IN AVIATION SECTOR

## 2641. SHRI G.M. SIDDESHWAR

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the aviation industry is lacking skilled manpower and optimum technology such as pilots, trainers, air traffic controllers, sub-optimal fleet, etc. owing to the massive growth in the aviation sector;
- (b) if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to increase the skill development and allow for participation of youth in this sector; and (c) whether the Government has announced any special scheme to provide assistance to pilot trainees and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

(Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia)

- (a) to (c) In general, there is no shortage of skilled manpower and optimum technology in the Civil Aviation sector in the country. There is, however, an increased requirement of Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs) in the Airports Authority of India (AAI). To address this,  340 posts of ATCOs have been created for E2-E6 level in the year 2022. Also, there are 3 (Three) Air Traffic Services Training Organisation (ATSTO) viz. (i) CATC, Prayagraj (U.P.)  (ii)  HTC,  Hyderabad  (Telangana)    (iii)  NIATAM,  Gondia (Maharashtra), under the control of Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the training  of  Air  Traffic  Management  (ATM)  personnel  which  are  duly approved by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The other initiatives taken by the Government for skill development in civil aviation sector include the following:

- (i)  In  order  to  augment the supply of trained pilots in the country, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has brought out a liberalised Flying Training Organisation (FTO) policy whereby the concept of airport royalty (revenue share payment by FTOs to AAI) has been abolished and land rentals

have been significantly rationalised. (ii) In 2021, after a competitive bidding process, AAI has awarded nine FTO slots  at  five  airports  at  Belagavi  (Karnataka),  Jalgaon  (Maharashtra), Kalaburagi  (Karnataka),  Khajuraho  (Madhya  Pradesh)  and  Lilabari (Assam). In June 2022, under second round of bidding, six FTO slots were awarded by AAI at five airports namely: two slots at Bhavnagar (Gujarat), and  one  each  at  Hubballi  (Karnataka),  Kadappa  (Andhra  Pradesh), Kishangarh  (Rajasthan)  and  Salem  (Tamil  Nadu). (iii) Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has introduced Online-On Demand Examination (OLODE) for the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME) and Flying Crew (FC) candidates with effect from November 2021. This facility allows candidates to choose the date and time from the available exam slots. (iv) DGCA has modified its regulations to empower Flying Instructors with the right to authorise flight operations at FTOs. This was hitherto restricted to the Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) or Deputy CFIs only. (v) The DGCA approves Drone Training Schools as per the Drone Rules 2021. Under these Rules, currently, 48 drone training schools have been approved for providing drone training/skilling across the country. Till date, these training schools have certified 3340 drone pilots. (vi)  DGCA has already implemented CAR -147(Basic) for approval of Aircraft  Maintenance  Training  Organizations  to  harmonize  the  best international practices and more practical training in order to fulfil aviation industry requirements and also open up more job opportunities for the skilled manpower across the world. Currently, India has 53 DGCA approved AME Training Institutes under CAR- 147(Basic) and 15 Type Rated Training Organizations under CAR 147 in India which are playing a major role to cater the requirements of skilled manpower for Indian Civil Aviation Sector. (vii)  Also,  there are 35 DGCA approved Flying Training Organizations (FTOs) in India operating at 53 bases issuing Commercial Pilot Licenses to cadets. (viii) AAI in-association with National Skill Development Centre (NSDC) and Aerospace & Aviation Sector Skill Council (AASSC) has set up Aviation Skill Centres at Chandigarh and Mumbai for the F.Y. 2017-18 and 2018-19 respectively to augment the availability of Skilled Manpower in Aviation Sector. (ix) There are 07 Approved Training organisations (ATOs) approved by DGCA which imparts type specific aircraft training in India. (x) There are 30 private aviation training centers accredited with Aerospace & Aviation Sector Skill Council (AASSC).

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