Air Deccan, ATR plan academy

European regional airplane-maker ATR will team up with low-cost carrier Air Deccan for a training academy. The proposed facility, which will be set up in Bangalore, will train pilots and engineers. "This would be a 50:50 joint venture from ATR and Air Deccan.

"We will provide engineers and pilots to extend special and intensive training in two simulators installed in Bangalore," a senior ATR executive told Business Standard. The executive, however, declined to divulge further details on the project. An announcement to this effect is expected today at the Aero Show 2007.

"India is facing a severe shortage of trained pilots and engineers with the local players' fleet size increasing. Air Deccan is acquiring more ATR aircraft for regional connectivity," the executive said. ATR, promoted by European aerospace major EADS, is a leader in the 50-seat to 70-seat turboprop jets.

There will be two simulators during in the initial phase and will be later increased to meet training requirements, he said on the sidelines of Aero Show 2007.

Air Deccan, at present, operates 23 ATR turboprop aircraft and 18 Airbus A320, covering 60 airports with 300 flights a day.

ATR is also planning to set up an inventory management centre in New Delhi to support its airline clients. Domestic carriers such as Kingfisher Airlines, Jet Airways and Indian Airlines are flying ATR jets.

"We also have plans to set up a sales support office in Bangalore besides this training academy," he added.