Bengaluru's Jakkur Flying School gets DGCA licence for 5 years, pilot training to resume
Synopsis
Bengaluru's 85-year-old Government Flying Training School at Jakkur is back in business. After losing its DGCA licence in December 2023 over regulatory lapses, the school has secured a fresh five-year authorisation — a timely revival as India's airlines race to fill a growing pilot shortage.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka Deputy CM G.
Parameshwara visited the Government Flying Training School (GFTS) at Jakkur, Bengaluru on 24 July 2026 for a review meeting.
The DGCA has renewed the school's licence for five years , from 16 July 2026 to 15 July 2031 .
The licence was originally cancelled in December 2023 due to administrative and regulatory reasons.
The school operates three airworthy aircraft (Cessna 172P, Cessna 172S, Tecnam P2006T); two more are expected to be made operational soon.
Training for PPL , CPL , and Multi-Engine Endorsement will resume for up to 30 students .
Established in 1940 , GFTS is one of India's oldest aviation training institutions.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara on Friday, 24 July 2026, visited the Government Flying Training School (GFTS) at Jakkur, Bengaluru, and chaired a review meeting to assess the institution's operations — days after the school received a renewed flying licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), clearing the path for pilot training to restart. The DGCA has granted the renewal for five years, from 16 July 2026 to 15 July 2031.
Licence Cancelled in 2023, Now Restored
The GFTS had its licence cancelled in December 2023 due to administrative and regulatory lapses, effectively halting all training activity. The road back to certification was not straightforward — the DGCA conducted a comprehensive inspection covering all operational aspects, flight demonstrations, and runway safety standards before issuing the renewed authorisation. The five-year licence represents the longest renewal window available under civil aviation norms and signals regulators' confidence in the school's current readiness.
Fleet and Faculty Strength
The school currently has one Chief Flying Instructor and two Flying Instructors on its rolls. Its fleet consists of five aircraft, of which three are airworthy and operational — a Cessna 172P, a Cessna 172S, and a Tecnam P2006T. Two additional aircraft — a Tecnam P2010 and a Cessna 152 — are expected to be made operational shortly, according to officials.
Training Programmes and Capacity
The GFTS will offer training for the Private Pilot Licence (PPL), Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), and Multi-Engine Endorsement — the same programmes it ran before the licence lapse. The school has a total training capacity of 30 students. Authorities confirmed that existing students will continue without interruption, while fresh admissions are also set to commence.
Officials Present at the Review
The review meeting was attended by Principal Secretary of the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports Naveen Raj Singh, Commissioner M.N. Anucheth, Director Basavaraj, and other senior officials. Deputy CM Parameshwara, who also holds the Revenue, Youth Empowerment and Sports portfolio, announced the licence renewal at the meeting.
Significance for India's Pilot Pipeline
Established in 1940, the GFTS is one of India's oldest aviation training institutions, with over eight decades of history. Its revival comes at a time when India's civil aviation sector is facing a well-documented shortage of trained pilots, driven by rapid airline fleet expansion. With DGCA certification now in place and safety inspections cleared, officials say the institution is fully equipped to resume operations without safety concerns. The school's reactivation is expected to contribute to meeting the growing national demand for qualified commercial pilots.
Point of View
But the details warrant scrutiny. A school with a capacity of just 30 students and three operational aircraft is a modest contribution to a national pilot shortage running into the thousands. The December 2023 cancellation — attributed to 'administrative and regulatory reasons' — has not been fully explained publicly, and the absence of accountability for that lapse risks repetition. India's government-run aviation schools have historically struggled with ageing fleets and instructor attrition; the GFTS must demonstrate that this renewal marks a structural reset, not a temporary regulatory patch.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Jakkur Government Flying Training School's licence cancelled?
The GFTS licence was cancelled in December 2023 due to administrative and regulatory reasons, according to officials. The school underwent a comprehensive DGCA inspection — covering operations, flight demonstrations, and runway safety — before the licence was renewed.
For how long has the DGCA renewed the Jakkur flying school's licence?
The DGCA has renewed the licence for five years, from 16 July 2026 to 15 July 2031. This is the longest standard renewal window under civil aviation norms.
What pilot training courses will the Jakkur school offer?
The school will offer training for the Private Pilot Licence (PPL), Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), and Multi-Engine Endorsement — the same programmes it ran before the licence lapse. Total student capacity is 30.
How many aircraft does the Government Flying Training School currently have?
The school has five aircraft in its fleet, of which three are currently airworthy — a Cessna 172P, a Cessna 172S, and a Tecnam P2006T. A Tecnam P2010 and a Cessna 152 are expected to be made operational shortly.
Who visited the Jakkur flying school and what was announced?
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara visited the GFTS at Jakkur on 24 July 2026 and chaired a review meeting. He announced the DGCA licence renewal and confirmed that both existing students and new admissions will be accommodated.
