Flight Training Organisations (FTOs) in India have appealed to the Odisha government to relax the turnover eligibility criteria set for bidding to operate the Biju Patnaik Aviation Centre (BPAC) in Dhenkanal district.
At a recent pre-bid meeting hosted by the state’s Transport and Commerce Department, several Indian FTOs flagged the ₹100 crore turnover requirement over the last three financial years as a major barrier to participation. The FTOs explained that most domestic players faced significant financial strain during the COVID-19 pandemic, which directly impacted their revenues during the specified period.
Despite their appeal, a senior government official said no decision has yet been taken on amending the criteria.
The Odisha government has floated a tender to select an Operating Partner (OP) for managing the BPAC project, which is envisioned as a premier training hub for aspiring pilots and aviation professionals from the state. The training infrastructure will be developed at the Birasal airstrip in Dhenkanal, with an estimated investment of ₹562 crore.
The ambitious project includes plans for 53 trainer aircraft, three simulators, a developed runway, hangars, service buildings, and residential facilities for students. The government aims to train approximately 500 pilots annually once the centre reaches full operational capacity.
At present, four Indian FTOs are reportedly interested in bidding but are disqualified due to not meeting the ₹100 crore turnover condition.
A resolution issued by the Odisha government on March 12, 2024, highlighted India’s urgent need to train 2,000 pilots annually over the next two decades. Currently, Indian flying schools collectively train only 900–1,000 pilots each year, with around 42% of commercial pilot licenses being granted to cadets trained abroad.
The BPAC project is expected to play a pivotal role in bridging this demand-supply gap and could significantly boost India’s domestic aviation training ecosystem.
