India – Trainee pilots at the Karnal Aviation Club, operated under the Haryana Institute of Civil Aviation, have staged a protest over a mid-course fee increase that has more than doubled the cost of the 200-hour commercial pilot training program.

The fee for the 200-hour commercial training program has been increased to approximately ₹42–45 lakh (approximately USD $50,000–54,000) from the earlier rate of ₹22 lakh (approximately USD $26,000), with the hourly flying charge raised from ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 while mandatory training hours remain unchanged at 200.
Trainees allege the hike was imposed midway through their courses without any corresponding increase in training hours or curriculum changes, with some students having already completed four to five years and up to 120 hours of flying training at the original rate.
Protesters stated that the revised fee structure now places the government-operated club in a similar price range to private academies, which were previously charging ₹30–35 lakh — removing the cost advantage that led many students to choose the institution over private providers.
Trainees have called on the government to exempt existing students from the revised fee structure and to roll back the hike, and raised the matter directly with Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar during a recent visit to Karnal.
Students also highlighted a shortage of training aircraft causing significant delays to flying schedules, compounding concerns about training cost and progression timelines.
A Karnal Aviation Club official confirmed the fee increase, stating the decision was taken at a higher level.

Source: Karnal Aviation Club and Media Reporting

Indian Government-Operated Flight Training Club Faces Trainee Protest in 2026 Over Mid-Course Commercial Training Fee Increase

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