Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann declared on Saturday that the era where aviation was an exclusive domain for the affluent is officially over. Speaking at the ‘Ambran Di Udari’ pilot training programme in Patiala, Mann outlined his government's ambitious plan to position Punjab as a major hub for the aviation industry by building a robust and inclusive ecosystem.
Democratizing the Skies: Massive Subsidies for Pilot Training
Interacting with trainees at the historic Patiala Flying Club, Mann revealed a transformative financial model. He stated that while private institutes charge between Rs 40 to 45 lakh to train a commercial pilot, the state-run Patiala Flying Club offers the course at nearly half the cost. A subsidy of about 50% brings the fee down to Rs 22-25 lakh, a reduction of nearly Rs 20 lakh.
"With this reduction, students from ordinary households—children of shopkeepers, teachers, farmers, and clerks—can now realistically dream of becoming pilots," Mann said. He emphasized that among the 32 trainee pilots present, most were the first in their families to enter the aviation sector, signaling a significant shift.
Building a Comprehensive Aviation Ecosystem
The Chief Minister's vision extends beyond just creating pilots. He highlighted that the Punjab government is focused on creating job providers, not just job seekers. The ecosystem includes multiple facets:
- Patiala Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) College: Offering India's most economical AME and B.Sc (Hons) programs. A combined three-year B.Sc (Hons) plus three-year DGCA-approved AME course costs only Rs 3 lakh, compared to Rs 5-8 lakh in other states.
- Aviation Museum: An aviation museum is being established at the Patiala Aviation Complex with an investment of ₹7 crore. It will showcase MiG aircraft, second-generation helicopters, simulators, and aviation heritage.
- Enhanced Infrastructure: The Patiala Flying Club, established in 1965 on a 253-acre campus, now operates seven training aircraft. It features night landing capability at Patiala airfield and provides training experience at Amritsar International Airport.
Mann also launched a new website for the Department of Civil Aviation to streamline services and information.
Proven Success and Future Employment
The initiative is already yielding impressive results. Mann proudly noted that over 4,000 trained professionals from the Patiala Flying Club and College are employed with major airlines and companies, commanding an average starting salary of Rs 1.5 lakh per month. He confirmed that key Indian airlines are the primary recruiters from this institute.
Further ensuring inclusivity, the government has reserved about one-third of the seats in these programs for students from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Other Backward Class (OBC) categories.
By making world-class aviation training quality, affordable, and aligned with industry needs, the Punjab government under Bhagwant Mann is actively dismantling financial barriers. The state is on a clear flight path to not only empower its youth with high-flying careers but also to become a cornerstone of India's aviation industry in the coming years.
