Redbird Aviation eyes overseas flight schools
New Delhi: Pilot training institution, Redbird Aviation, is considering acquisitions of overseas assets, as a part of its expansion strategy to address increasing demand for pilots in India, and boost its fleet size. The company’s objective is to mitigate the impact of supply chain challenges on availability of aircraft, senior executives of the company said. “We acquired a flying school in Colombo, Sri Lanka, which has seven airplanes.
That is the first operation abroad. We are looking at more such opportunities," Major (retired) Manjit Ranjan, the chairman of Redbird’s parent, Tenon Group, said in an interview. “Today, India requires 34,000 new pilots.
There is also orders for over 900 aircraft . Sri Lanka’s asset was readily available. We needed them, and we are buying the planes as the companies are not being able to produce aircraft fast enough to supply to India.
Similarly, there is a flying school in Male which we may buy," Ranjan added. While Redbird seeks to harness the capabilities of foreign flight schools to make the most of their fleets, the overarching goal is expanding its flight school network in India. At present, Redbird operates six air bases across Baramati, Seoni, Lilabari, Belagavi, Gulbarga, and the Colombo school.
The firm is targeting to have 10 airbases by March 2024 , and increase its fleet size to 60 from the existing 40 aircraft. Recently, Redbird Aviation tied up with Singapore-based Aviation Safety and Training Pte. Ltd (AST), which offers type-rating training to aspiring pilots on A320, A320neo, and B737 new generation simulators.
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