Archive · 21 Jul 2026
40% of New Indian Pilots Trained Abroad in 2026
In the first half of 2026, more than 40% of new Indian commercial pilot licenses were given to pilots who trained abroad.
This is a change from previous years where more pilots were trained in India.
The Indian government has been working to make training in India easier and cheaper, but problems like bad weather and limited airspace are still making foreign training more attractive.
There are now 41 flight training schools in India with over 400 planes, but these issues are keeping many pilots from training at home.
Over 40% of new Indian commercial pilot licenses in the first half of 2026 were issued to foreign-trained cadets.
Out of 1,331 total licenses, 540 went to foreign-trained cadets and 791 to domestically-trained cadets.
The share of foreign-trained cadets had been decreasing since 2022 but rose sharply in 2026.
India has 41 domestic FTOs with a capacity to train 3,500 students simultaneously.
Weather delays, airspace constraints, and fleet availability issues continue to push cadets to foreign training.
- Who
- Indian commercial pilot cadets and the Ministry of Civil Aviation
- What
- Over 40% of new Indian commercial pilot licenses issued in the first half of 2026 were to cadets trained abroad.
- When
- First half of 2026
- Where
- India
- Why
- Despite domestic training capacity expansions, weather-related delays, airspace constraints, and fleet availability issues push cadets to foreign FTOs.
Domestic Training Advocates
Foreign Training Supporters
Training Capacity
Domestic Training Advocates
Domestic FTOs have expanded capacity to train 3,500 students simultaneously, reducing the need for foreign training.
Foreign Training Supporters
Foreign FTOs offer more consistent training environments with fewer weather and airspace constraints.
Cost and Regulations
Domestic Training Advocates
The government has eased norms and cut costs to make domestic training more affordable and accessible.
Foreign Training Supporters
Foreign training programs may still offer better value and more streamlined processes despite domestic reforms.
- Total CPLs Issued (Jan-Jun 2026)
- 1,331
- Foreign-Trained Cadets
- 540
- Domestically-Trained Cadets
- 791
- Percentage Foreign-Trained
- 40.57%
- Domestic FTO Capacity
- 3,500 students
- Number of Domestic FTOs
- 41
- Domestic FTO Bases
- 63
- Domestic FTO Fleet
- Over 400 aircraft