France-based Simaero to establish pilot training centre in Gurugram

Simaero- a France-based aviation training company is all set to establish its first flight simulator training centre in India by early 2025 in Gurugram, New Delhi. For this centre, the company plans to invest around 200 million euros in India. After the first facility in Delhi, Simaero is planning to open two more pilot training centres in the country with four flight simulators each. 

In the first tranche of investment, Simaero plans to invest 100 million euros to set up an eight-bay flight simulator facility in Delhi, with four Airbus A320 simulators, two ATR 72-600 simulators and two Boeing 737 simulators. Interestingly the company is planning to train pilots not just from India but other South-east Asian countries as well. 

Simaero has partnered with Turkish company Havelsan to acquire its first full-flight simulator for the Airbus A320 neo aircraft highlighting Simaero’s commitment to bringing cutting-edge simulation technology to India.

Speaking about the current pilot training institutes in India, Mehmet Akif Nacar, chief executive officer and president of Turkish simulator manufacturer Havelsan claimed that most of the pilots for Indian domestic airlines are currently trained abroad. “With the growing demand for pilots in the coming years, the country will have to explore plans to add FTOs (Flying Training Organisation) and ATOs (Approved Training Organisation) in the country," Nacar added.

Revealing current and future plans for expansion in India, Simaero India general manager, Khushbeg Jattana said that Delhi training facility will eventually house eight full-flight simulators for narrow-body aircraft, including the A320 neo, ATR 72-600, and Boeing 737. “Additionally, the company plans to add a simulator for wide-body aircraft by 2026 or 2027,” Jattana added.

Indian domestic airlines have placed massive aircraft orders, the passenger demand in the country is surging day-by-day and to meet the demands of such a growing market Simaero’s strategic entry in India comes at an exact right time. “India will need to double its flight simulator training centres by 2030 to cater to the growing demand for pilots as domestic airlines are set to take delivery of over 1,000 new aircraft over the next decade,” Simaero claims. 

As per Boeing’s latest pilot forecast, India will need over 31,000 pilots over the next two decades. Eyeing this opportunity Simaero has ventured into Indian market.