Eight years ago, India’s largest airline, IndiGo, began looking for an additional international partner to train aspiring pilots for its rapidly expanding fleet. It homed in on Flight Training Adelaide (FTA), a world-class academy with campuses in South Australia and Queensland. FTA has been training pilots for major global airlines for more than 40 years. Its expertise was just what IndiGo had been searching for.
The result was the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program, which is pivotal to the airline’s ambitious growth plans. Recently, the training program celebrated 2 milestones: its first 200 graduates were inducted into the airline; and one of its early graduates was promoted to IndiGo Captain.
‘Both accomplishments underscore the continued successful partnership we have nurtured with IndiGo,’ says David Toy, Chief Operating Officer of FTA’s Parafield campus, north of Adelaide in South Australia.
Unique course to equip world-class pilots
The FTA-IndiGo collaboration involves a multi-phase, rigorous selection and training process. On average, it takes a cadet about 24 months from the first lesson to obtaining a commercial pilot licence and sitting in the cockpit of an IndiGo A320.
The training course begins with ground theory in the Indian city of Gurgaon, followed by almost 10 months of practical instruction and flying in Australia. As well as comprehensive commercial and instrument training, FTA equips cadets with the skills to operate larger aircraft like Airbus or Boeing. This is a unique component of the FTA training package that sets it apart from its competitors.
Working in India as part of the initial training phase was the first time FTA had operated outside Australia. ‘This brought its own set of challenges,’ says FTA’s Business Development Manager Michael Wallis. ‘When we first commenced operations in India, we were quite new to the culture and working practices, in particular those of the regulator.
‘We have been fortunate in recruiting a very capable team in India. We also received significant support from IndiGo itself, which has gone a long way in assisting us.’
Flight Training Adelaide is training the next generation of airline pilots in India.
Experience and expertise turn dreams into reality
Currently, there are about 100 IndiGo cadets at various training stages at FTA’s South Australian and Queensland campuses. Wallis says they represent ‘a fair size’ of FTA’s total number of trainees, 90% of whom come from overseas.
‘FTA’s Parafield campus predominantly serves the international training market,’ explains Wallis. He adds that FTA has similar training partnerships with a number of government agencies and airlines such as Cathay Pacific and JAL.
FTA ticked all the boxes in meeting IndiGo’s requirements for a reliable training provider back in 2017. ‘FTA offers benchmark-quality training based on decades of experience, and has a highly experienced management team and world-class instructors,’ says Wallis. ‘Plus, FTA has an aircraft fleet that is close to 80 and an outstanding safety record.’
FTA also offers a residential precinct within the airport grounds of its campuses. This ensures cadets live in a safe, supportive environment within walking distance of their training venues and have access to sporting and gym facilities.
‘Nothing gives us more satisfaction than seeing a cadet achieve his or her dream of becoming a pilot,’ says Wallis. ‘To see their transition from a young student to a safe and competent aviator is priceless. We are extremely proud of the work that FTA has done to turn their dream into a reality.’
A win–win collaboration
For IndiGo, the partnership with FTA ensures a supply of highly skilled pilots well into the future. This is vital for a fast-growing airline with more than 63% of the domestic Indian market and operating more than 2,200 daily flights to all corners of the globe.
The benefits also flow to FTA. ‘IndiGo is India’s largest airline and recognised as one of the world’s leading airlines. Working with IndiGo gives our brand a lot of credibility and strength in the market,’ says Wallis. ‘Both IndiGo and FTA anticipate working together for decades to come.’
A model for Australia-India partnerships
The FTA-IndiGo collaboration is a model for similar Australia-India partnerships and highlights the bilateral opportunities available for businesses in both countries.
Matching Australian skills-training providers with Indian organisations is the core focus of the Future Skills Initiative (FSI), instigated in 2022. Delivered by Austrade, the FSI helps Australian training organisations identify and develop strategic partnerships in India. It likewise helps organisations in India find sector-specific specialist trainers in Australia.
‘This partnership between FTA and IndiGo is an excellent case study of the synergies and business models between Australia and India for skilling,’ says Vik Singh, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Austrade. ‘Australia’s world-class skilling capabilities can play a crucial role in supporting India’s growing aviation sector, in addition to supplying the global workforce.
‘The Australia-India education partnership is an important pillar of our bilateral relationship,’ adds Singh. ‘It bridges our communities, building future-ready workforces and driving economic growth.’
Contact Vik Singh, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Austrade, for more information on the Australia India Future Skills Initiative.
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