Orient Flights Aviation Academy

What Orient Flights Aviation Academy does

Orient Flights Aviation Academy (OFAA) is a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)-approved Flight Training Organization (FTO) operating as a division of the Hindustan Group of Institutions. Established in 2015 with pilot training operations launched at Mysuru Airport in February 2016, the academy offers a portfolio of aviation training programs centered on the 200-hour Commercial Pilot License (CPL) program with Instrument Rating endorsements (IR/SE+ME and IR/SE) and a 50-hour Private Pilot License (PPL) course. Supporting products include endorsement programs for licensed pilots (instrument rating, multi-engine rating, license renewal, foreign license conversion, recency flying), cabin crew and ground staff training at the Chennai campus, and IATA-authorized courses in GDS Fares and Ticketing (Amadeus), Cargo, Cabin Crew, and Customer Service. Training infrastructure combines classroom-based ground school, practical flight training using a fleet of 10 aircraft (Tecnam training aircraft with planned additions of Tecnam P2010 and Piper Archer DX), and ALSIM AL250 flight simulators supporting single-engine, multi-engine, instrument flying, and Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT). Cadet progress is tracked through the proprietary OASIS student information system with parent reporting functionality, and OFAA also offers a UGC-approved integrated B.Sc (Aviation) degree pathway through sister institution Hindustan University.

Revenue is generated through one-time professional services fees for defined-duration training programs, with CPL programs typically completed in 18-24 months and pricing quote-based via phone and online enquiries (specific tuition amounts not publicly disclosed). The primary customer segment is aspiring commercial pilots aged 17+ who have completed 10+2 education with Physics and Mathematics and hold DGCA Class I/II medical certification; secondary segments include hobby pilots seeking PPL certification, aviation ground personnel pursuing cabin crew, ground staff, and IATA-certified roles, and existing licensed pilots seeking rating endorsements or renewals. The academy reports 800+ pilots trained cumulatively since inception, 500+ alumni employed across Indian and global aviation, 300+ CPL conversions, 171,900 total flight hours flown, and 70+ current cadets across active batches.

OFAA operates four locations across India: the Chennai headquarters and cabin crew training base, the primary pilot training campus at Mysuru Airport (with 47th batch orientation conducted January 2026), a Delhi regional admissions office for North India, and the Kurnool campus launched in August 2025 as Andhra Pradesh's first DGCA-approved FTO. Go-to-market is sales-led with inside-sales and event-driven components, combining direct campus admissions, phone/email enquiry handling, and demand generation through aviation exhibitions (Wings India 2026 in Hyderabad), education summits (IGES 2026, Tamil Nadu Higher Education Summit 2026), and college outreach seminars at partner institutions including HITS and KCG College of Technology. The organization is family-owned under the Verghese-controlled Hindustan Group (founded by Dr. K.C.G. Verghese in the 1960s), with Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese as Chairman and Dr. Annie Jacob as Director; no external institutional investment is disclosed. Listed airline placement partners include Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, AirAsia India, Vistara, and Flybig.

Name

Orient Flights Aviation Academy

Legal name

Orient Flights Private Limited

Website

https://orientflights.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Orient Flights Aviation Academy is a DGCA-approved Flight Training Organization in India providing Commercial Pilot License, Private Pilot License, and IATA-certified aviation training programs to aspiring pilots and aviation professionals across four campuses in Chennai, Mysuru, Delhi, and Kurnool.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Training Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

Keywords

• Pilot training academy
• Commercial pilot license
• Aviation training services
• Cabin crew training
• Flight simulator training

Headquarters

HQ city

Chennai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Pilot Licensing Training Courses: The academy generates revenue primarily through fees for Commercial Pilot License (CPL) training programs, Private Pilot License (PPL) courses, and endorsement programs including instrument rating, multi-engine rating, license renewal, and foreign license conversion. Course fees are charged for the full training program spanning 18-24 months for CPL. The revenue model is a one-time professional services/training fee model with a defined program duration.
2. Civil Aviation Training: Revenue from cabin crew training and ground staff training programs offered at Chennai campus, providing certification-oriented courses for airline personnel.
3. IATA Training Programs: IATA-authorized training programs including GDS Fares and Ticketing (Amadeus), Cargo Introductory Course, Airline Cabin Crew, and Airline Customer Service, generating revenue from short-duration certification courses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Orient Flights Aviation Academy is a DGCA-approved Flight Training Organization that delivers Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and Private Pilot License (PPL) training programs in India. The academy sells 200-hour and 50-hour integrated pilot training courses combining ground school, practical flight training on its Tecnam/Cessna fleet, and ALSIM AL250 simulator sessions, alongside cabin crew, ground staff, and IATA-certified short courses. It also offers endorsement programs (instrument rating, multi-engine rating, license renewal, foreign license conversion) and integrates a UGC-approved B.Sc (Aviation) degree via Hindustan University.

Product overview

Orient Flights Aviation Academy (OFAA) is a DGCA-approved Flight Training Organization (FTO) operating as part of the Hindustan Group of Institutions. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of aviation training programs centered around pilot licensing (CPL and PPL) at its Mysuru and Kurnool campuses, supplemented by cabin crew and ground staff training at Chennai and Delhi campuses. The product ecosystem includes integrated simulator training using ALSIM AL250 flight simulators, DGCA-approved ground school programs, and IATA-certified courses (GDS Fares & Ticketing, Cargo, Cabin Crew, Customer Service). The academy also provides endorsement programs for licensed pilots and offers an optional B.Sc (Aviation) degree through Hindustan University. OFAA operates from multiple bases including Mysuru Airport and Kurnool Airport, with a modern and versatile aircraft fleet.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commercial Pilot License (CPL) Training

Quantifiable outcome

• 800+ pilots trained since inception with 500+ employed across Indian and global aviation industry
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (HITS)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026OFAA conducted aviation seminars, workshops, and flight simulator sessions at HITS Chennai campus on 30th March 2026. Over 100 students attended, with 20+ gaining hands-on simulator experience. HITS is part of the Hindustan Group network. The partnership supports student outreach, career awareness, and pipeline development for aviation training programs.
• KCG College of TechnologymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026OFAA conducted aviation seminars and flight simulator sessions at KCG College of Technology, Chennai on 31st March 2026. Sessions focused on aviation career awareness, pilot training process, and industry opportunities. Partnership supports student outreach and enrollment pipeline for OFAA training programs.
• Tecnam (Aircraft Manufacturer)majorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026OFAA announced induction of new Tecnam training aircraft at Wings India 2026, with a strategic fleet expansion roadmap including next-generation Tecnam P2010 and Piper Archer DX aircraft. This partnership supports OFAA's modernization and capacity expansion strategy for both ab-initio and advanced pilot training.
• IATA (International Air Transport Association)majorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026OFAA is an IATA-Authorized Training Centre (ATC) offering IATA-certified programs including GDS Fares and Ticketing (Amadeus), Cargo Introductory Course, Airline Cabin Crew, and Airline Customer Service. IATA certification provides internationally recognized credentials for aviation career pathways beyond pilot training.
• Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025OFAA participated in the 30th CII Partnership Summit 2025 held on 14-15 November 2025 in Visakhapatnam, where a landmark MOU was signed for pilot training in Andhra Pradesh, supporting the development of the Kurnool campus as Andhra Pradesh's first DGCA-approved Flying Training Organization.
• Hindustan Group of InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2017OFAA is a constituent division of the Hindustan Group of Institutions, founded by Dr. K.C.G. Verghese. The group encompasses multiple educational institutions in Engineering, Aviation, Applied Sciences, and Management. OFAA leverages the group's infrastructure, academic programs (including UGC-approved B.Sc Aviation degree through Hindustan University), and institutional credibility. Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese serves as Chairman of both OFAA and the Hindustan Group.
• ALS IM (Flight Simulator Manufacturer)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 February 2017MOU signed with ALSIM for flight simulator integration. OFAA operates ALS IM AL250 flight simulators for single-engine and multi-engine pilot training. This partnership enables weather-independent, competency-based training and UPRT (Upset Prevention and Recovery Training), aligned with DGCA requirements and international best practices.
• Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2016DGCA is the statutory regulatory authority under India's Ministry of Civil Aviation that approves Flight Training Organizations and issues pilot licenses. OFAA holds DGCA approval as a Flight Training Organization (FTO), enabling it to conduct licensed pilot training. DGCA also conducted a 360-degree audit of OFAA operations in 2025-2026.
• Airport Authority of India (AAI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAI General Manager (Air Traffic Management) from the Southern Region visited OFAA at Mysore campus in March 2017, indicating an industry relationship supporting OFAA's training environment at Mysuru Airport. AAI manages airport infrastructure that OFAA operates within.
• Hindustan UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHindustan University, Chennai offers UGC-approved B.Sc (Aviation) degree integrated with OFAA's CPL training program. Students can simultaneously earn an academic degree while completing pilot training, adding significant value to the training proposition and making graduates more employable.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA): Government-run premier FTO in India offering DGCA-approved integrated CPL training. Directly competes with OFAA for the same aspiring commercial pilot segment, with similar DGCA-aligned curriculum and 200-hour flight programs.
• National Flying Training Institute (NFTI): DGCA-approved FTO based in Gondia, Maharashtra offering CPL and PPL training with its own fleet and simulator infrastructure. Competes head-to-head with OFAA in the Indian ab-initio pilot training market.
• Bombay Flying Club: One of India's oldest flying clubs (established 1928) offering DGCA-approved pilot licensing, aircraft maintenance, and simulator training at Juhu Aerodrome. Directly comparable to OFAA in regulatory standing and pilot training offerings.
• Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology (RGAAT): Kerala-based DGCA-approved FTO offering integrated B.Sc Aviation degree combined with pilot training. Closely comparable to OFAA's Hindustan University-integrated B.Sc pathway and same target customer (aspiring commercial pilots in South India).
• Madhya Pradesh Flying Club: DGCA-approved flying training organization offering CPL, PPL, and instructor rating programs in central India. Comparable to OFAA as a mid-tier Indian FTO targeting the same aspiring commercial pilot segment.
• Chimes Aviation Academy: Indian aviation training provider under the Chimes Group offering CPL, PPL, and cabin crew training across multiple Indian locations. Comparable to OFAA as a directly competing private-sector Indian FTO with similar product mix.

Broad incumbents

• CAE: Canadian global aviation training leader operating pilot training academies worldwide with extensive simulator networks and partnerships with airlines. Comparable to OFAA as a large, established pilot training provider with broader geographic footprint and airline relationships.
• FlightSafety International: Global aviation training company offering pilot training, simulation, and crew resources across multiple aircraft categories. Comparable to OFAA in pilot licensing scope but operates at much larger scale with international centers.
• Lufthansa Aviation Training: European aviation training provider under the Lufthansa Group offering pilot, cabin crew, and maintenance training globally with extensive simulator infrastructure. Comparable to OFAA's pilot and cabin crew programs but at significantly larger scale and international footprint.

Regional players

• Epsom Aviation: UAE-based aviation academy offering integrated CPL and ATPL training with partnered European qualifications, often attracting Indian and South Asian students. Comparable to OFAA in target customer (South Asian aspiring pilots) and product scope, though operates from a different geography.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FlightsOrient

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Orient Flights Aviation Academy