Air India has announced exciting plans to establish a cutting-edge Basic Maintenance Training Organization (BMTO) in Bengaluru, Karnataka's bustling capital city, aimed at nurturing the next generation of aircraft maintenance engineers. This new Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) program, endorsed by India's aviation authority, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), will combine two years of intensive classroom instruction with two years of hands-on practical training. The goal of this initiative, as highlighted in a recent statement released on November 22, 2024, is to cultivate a skilled workforce capable of managing aircraft maintenance and engineering operations efficiently.

Sunil Bhaskaran, the Aviation Academy Director at Air India, emphasized the importance of the BMTO facility, stating, "The BMTO will establish a pipeline of skilled engineers trained to Air India standards from the outset." He further explained that the program would offer aspiring AME cadets invaluable real-world experience vital to their professional development. In collaboration with Bengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL), a subsidiary of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), Air India will bring this ambitious project to life, strategically locating the BMTO adjacent to its upcoming 12-bay Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru, scheduled for launch in early 2026.

Spanning an impressive 86,000 square feet within the Kempegowda International Airport's (BLR Airport) campus, the BMTO is projected to become operational by mid-2026. This initiative not only underscores Air India's commitment to fostering talent within the aviation industry but also signifies a significant step towards meeting the growing demands for skilled professionals in aircraft maintenance and engineering. Stay tuned as more updates follow on this exciting development that promises to shape the future of aviation education and training.