Editor’s Note

2024 also witnessed significant strides in innovation. From advancements in sustainable aviation fuel to geopolitical developments influencing global air transport, the year underscored the sector’s critical role in fostering global connectivity. In a wrap of year 2024, Ayushee Chaudhary reflects on the key milestones of the year and concerns that need attention while offering a glimpse into the promising future that lies ahead for the aviation sector, both in India and globally.

Globally, the commercial aviation industry demonstrated remarkable adaptability. IATA’s financial outlook projects $36.6 billion in net profits for 2025, highlighting the sector’s steady recovery amidst challenges like supply chain disruptions and SAF costs. As airlines surpass the $1 trillion revenue mark, sustainability and digital transformation remain at the forefront of industry priorities. This issue of the magazine presents highlights from the forecast.

The aviation industry in India has witnessed phenomenal growth over the past few decades, creating a vibrant landscape for aspiring pilots. With an increasing number of airlines and a soaring demand for qualified pilots, selecting the best pilot training institute in India for you has become more crucial. India has several prestigious flight schools known for their quality training programmes and successful alumni. Rohit Goel shares a list of the top pilot training schools in India recognised for their excellence in aviation education.

India’s aviation landscape has been vibrant, driven by a booming demand for skilled pilots. Aspiring aviators now have access to an array of government and private training institutes offering world-class education. However, challenges such as outdated infrastructure, rising costs, and regulatory hurdles persist. In this issue, Sarthak Baranwal delves into the hurdles faced by pilot trainees and the reforms needed to maintain India’s global standing in aviation.

This issue underlines that along with the training, the selection of the right training aircraft is equally pivotal. As discussed in this issue, performance, cost-efficiency, and reliability remain critical factors for both flight schools and students. We explore the most popular training aircraft shaping the future of commercial pilot education worldwide.

Regional connectivity takes center stage with FLY91, a regional airline based in Goa, striving to bridge the gap across India’s tier 2 and tier 3 cities. In an exclusive interview with Rohit Goel, Manoj Chacko, Managing Director and CEO of FLY91, shares insights into their mission to connect over 50 cities within the next five years leveraging a fleet of ATR 72-600 aircraft. He believes that since the airline is committed to responsible travel and sustainable tourism, ATR 72-600’s combination of safety, fuel efficiency, and cost-effectiveness makes it a perfect fit for FLY91.

All this and more in this issue of SP’s AirBuz. Welcome aboard and we wish you many happy landings!