New Delhi, India, 5 November 2026 – Airbus and Blue Angels Air, an aviation training  organisation based in India, have signed an agreement to train aspiring airline pilots within the  Airbus Flight Academy network. 

Under this agreement, Blue Angels Air’s cadets will complete a 100% Airbus Ab Initio pilot  training syllabus. This curriculum equips trainees with European Union Aviation Safety Agency  (EASA) standard qualifications, widely recognised as a global benchmark for foundational airline  operations, prior to standard licence conversion requirements under India’s Directorate General  of Civil Aviation (DGCA). 

A key pillar of the agreement is a shared commitment to advancing gender diversity and  increasing female representation in aviation. Building on Blue Angels’ involvement with Women  in Aviation International (WAI) in India and Airbus’ engagement with the International Aviation  Womens Association (IAWA), both organisations aim to inspire, encourage and support more  young women in pursuing professional pilot careers, contributing to a more inclusive and  diverse future for aviation. 

“Our collaboration with Airbus marks a significant milestone in our commitment to shaping the  next generation of professional airline pilots in India,” said Althea Paul, Founder & CEO of Blue  Angels Air. “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.” 

“Equipping the next generation of civil pilots with the highest levels of standardisation and safety  culture is essential to sustaining commercial air traffic growth,” said Thomas Aoudia, Head of  Training Operations & Business Development at Airbus.”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.”

This long-term partnership reinforces the Airbus pilot training presence across Southern Europe  and North Africa while directly addressing surging demand for certified cockpit crew in the  Indian market. 

The first cohort of cadets will begin their training next year in The Aviator Institute partner flight  school located in Monastir, Tunisia. 

The Blue Angels Air contract also aligns with Airbus’ pivotal role in developing India’s aviation  ecosystem, including building a robust pipeline of pilots to power the nation’s soaring fleet  expansion. As the required number of in-service pilots in South Asia is set to increase nearly  fourfold, from about 10,500 today to more than 42,000 by 2045, roughly 50,000 pilots will need  to be trained to accommodate this growth and replace those retiring. Furthermore, the demand  for pilot training alone is projected to triple, reaching almost US$1 billion over the next two  decades (figures in 2026 constant dollar value). 

The Airbus Flight Academy network delivers integrated Ab Initio pilot training solutions for global  airline customers, deploying modern, glass cockpit training aircraft and advanced simulation  technology to prepare Ab Initio trainees for modern fly-by-wire multi-crew commercial aircraft.