Mysuru: The Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Civil Aviation met in Mysuru, Karnataka, on Friday under the chairmanship of Union Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu. Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation Shri Murlidhar Mohol was also present at the meeting.
The meeting marked the first time since 2017 that the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Civil Aviation Ministry convened outside New Delhi, reflecting the Government’s approach of taking policy discussions closer to different regions of the country. Members of Parliament attending the meeting included Shri Gopal Jee Thakur, Shri Anup Sanjay Dhotre, Ms. Sayani Ghosh, Shri Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Dr. M. Dhanapal, Shri Ramrao Sakharam Wadkute and Mysuru MP Shri Yaduveer Chamaraja Wadiyar.
The Committee discussed key priorities for the next phase of India’s aviation growth, including the Next Phase of UDAN, reforms in the Flying Training Organisation (FTO) ecosystem and the transformation of the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA). The discussions focused on expanding regional connectivity, strengthening the pilot-training ecosystem and building the skilled workforce required to support the country’s rapidly expanding aviation sector.
Addressing the Committee, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu said India’s aviation growth was increasingly moving beyond major destinations and airport development alone. He highlighted the role of UDAN in promoting regional development and inclusive economic growth, benefiting farmers, exporters, businesses and communities. He also pointed to emerging opportunities in drones and eVTOLs, along with reforms in Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and air cargo.
Highlighting the scale of investment under UDAN, the Minister said around ₹10,000 crore had been invested over the past decade in airport development and Viability Gap Funding for airlines. He added that the Government was now taking the programme to a new scale, with ₹28,840 crore awarded under the Next Phase of UDAN, aimed at further strengthening regional air connectivity.
The Committee was also briefed on reforms in the FTO ecosystem aimed at increasing the availability of trained pilots while maintaining stringent standards of safety and training. The number of FTOs has increased from 32 in 2020 to 41 in 2026, while flying bases have expanded from 32 to 63. The FTO ranking framework introduced under the Minister’s directions is intended to improve transparency and accountability and help aspiring pilots make informed choices about their training institutions.
Shri Ram Mohan Naidu underlined the importance of developing a domestic aviation workforce as Indian airlines expand their fleets. He said the unprecedented scale of aircraft orders placed by Indian carriers would create substantial demand for skilled aviation professionals and emphasised the Government’s objective of training the workforce within India rather than relying on imported talent.
The meeting also reviewed the transformation of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA). The institution has recorded a significant increase in aircraft utilisation, averaging 1,765 flying hours per aircraft annually, compared with a global benchmark of around 1,500 hours. IGRUA has also reported a budget surplus for the first time after more than two decades of recurring deficits.
Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Shri Samir Kumar Sinha; DGCA Director General Shri Vir Vikram Yadav; Airports Authority of India Chairman Shri Vipin Kumar; BCAS Director General Shri Rajesh Nirwan and other senior officials attended the meeting and briefed the Members of Parliament. The Minister appreciated the suggestions offered by the Committee members and assured them that their inputs would be duly considered in advancing initiatives for the continued growth, safety and development of India’s civil aviation sector.