Parliament Question: Absence of FTOs in West Bengal and closure of Behala flying club

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2571 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 16th March 2026 ABSENCE OF FTOS IN WEST BENGAL AND CLOSURE OF BEHALA FLYING CLUB 2571. SHRI SAMIK BHATTACHARYA Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) whether it is a fact that West Bengal currently does not have any fully operational, DGCA-approved Flying Training Organisation (FTO) offering Commercial Pilot Licence training; (b) reasons for closure/non-operational status of the historic Bengal Flying Club (Behala Flying Training Institute); (c) whether Directorate General of Civil Aviation had raised any safety, compliance, fleet, infrastructure or audit-related objections leading to suspension or discontinuation of training activities; (d) whether any proposal for revival or re-certification of the Behala Flying Club has been received or examined; and (e) steps being taken to establish new FTOs in West Bengal to address the regional pilot training deficit? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) a) to e) Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has approved 40 Flying Training Organizations (FTOs) for commerical pilot license (CPL) training in India. Presently, there is no DGCA-approved FTO in the State of West Bengal. The closure/non-operational status of any FTO may have diverse reasons including commercial feasibilty, regulatory non-compliance, operational limitations etc. Ministry of Civil Aviation has taken various initiatives to encourage setting up of FTOs in the country. Airports Authority of India (AAI) has brought out a liberalised Flying Training Organisation (FTO) policy whereby the concept of airport royalty (revenue share payment by FTOs to AAI) has been abolished and land rentals have been significantly rationalised. In order to streamline requirements and information related to approval/renewal, inspection, surveillance and audit of FTOs, DGCA has issued Civil Aviation Requirements Section 7- Flight Crew Standards Training & Licensing Series-D Part I Issue III dated 10.12.2025.In accordance with Rule 41B of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 and Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR ) Section 7 Series D Part I, any organisation/individual eligible may apply to set up an FTO in any State of India including West Bengal. ******