Airbus and Blue Angels Air Partner to Train Indian Cadet Pilots in Tunisia from 2027

India & Tunisia – European aircraft manufacturer Airbus and Indian aviation training organisation Blue Angels Air have signed an agreement to deliver ab initio pilot training for aspiring Indian airline pilots through the Airbus Flight Academy network. The partnership establishes an international training pathway combining Airbus-standard flight training with subsequent licence conversion under India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), supporting the development of future airline pilots for the Indian market.

• The first cohort of Blue Angels Air cadets is scheduled to commence training in 2027 at The Aviator Institute in Monastir, Tunisia, an existing Airbus Flight Academy partner flight school. The agreement was announced on November 5, 2026.
• Under the arrangement, Blue Angels Air cadets will follow a 100% Airbus ab initio training syllabus leading to qualifications aligned with European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standards. Graduates will subsequently need to complete the applicable DGCA licence conversion requirements to pursue professional flying careers in India.
• According to Airbus' Global Services Forecast, the number of in-service pilots required across South Asia is expected to increase from approximately 10,500 in 2026 to more than 42,000 by 2045. Airbus estimates that approximately 50,000 pilots will need to be trained over this period to accommodate fleet growth and retirements, with the regional pilot training market projected to nearly triple to approximately US$1 billion in annual value.
• The partnership also incorporates an initiative to increase female participation in professional pilot training, building on Blue Angels Air's involvement with Women in Aviation International (WAI) in India and Airbus' engagement with the International Aviation Womens Association (IAWA).
• AFM previously reported that Airbus Flight Academy partnered with The Aviator Institute in November 2025, establishing the Tunisian training provider as the first Airbus Flight Academy partner in Africa and the Middle East. The original agreement outlined a progressive expansion towards training more than 80 cadets annually.
• The Airbus Pilot Cadet Training Program uses Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA), combining integrated ATPL theoretical knowledge instruction, single- and multi-engine flying, instrument training and multi-crew preparation. The Aviator Institute operates Diamond DA40 and DA42 training aircraft alongside flight simulation equipment, providing practical training aligned with Airbus' preparation standards for fly-by-wire commercial aircraft.

Statements

• “Our collaboration with Airbus marks a significant milestone in our commitment to shaping the next generation of professional airline pilots in India. By combining Airbus’ global training expertise and internationally recognised standards with Blue Angels’ holistic Cadet approach, we aim to develop confident, resilient and highly skilled aviators, equipped for the demands of modern airline operations. Together, we are creating a comprehensive international training pathway that places quality, safety and professional excellence at the heart of every cadet’s journey,” said Althea Paul, Founder and CEO of Blue Angels Air.
• "Equipping the next generation of civil pilots with the highest levels of standardisation and safety culture is essential to sustaining commercial air traffic growth. By providing Blue Angel cadets with the Airbus Flight Academy Ab Initio training, Airbus reaches a key international market and brings actionable focus to our diversity ambitions by opening clear pathways for women pursuing airline careers," said Thomas Aoudia, Head of Training Operations & Business Development  at  Airbus.

About Blue Angels Air
Blue Angels Air is an India-based aviation training organisation and pilot training facilitator founded by Althea Paul, providing professional pilot training pathways for aspiring airline pilots. Its training offerings include DGCA theoretical knowledge preparation, international commercial pilot training, foreign licence conversion support and airline-oriented training programs.

About Airbus
Airbus is a European aerospace manufacturer headquartered in Toulouse, France, producing commercial aircraft, helicopters, and defense and space systems. Through its Airbus Flight Academy network, the company provides ab initio pilot training programs delivered by affiliated flight training organisations in France, Portugal and Tunisia, incorporating standardised instruction, instructor development and competency-based assessment.

About The Aviator Institute
The Aviator Institute, formerly Safe Flight Academy, is a Tunisian flight training organisation operating from Tunis and Monastir, providing professional pilot training and aviation education. The organisation has more than 15 years of flight training experience and operates training facilities supporting international cadet pilot programs.

Source: Airbus