CHENNAI: Nearly 17 months after its first attempt failed to take off, the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) has re-invited bids to establish a Flying Training Organisation (FTO) at the Kovilpatti airstrip under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, signalling a renewed push by the State to tap into India's expanding aviation training market.
The fresh Request for Proposal (RFP), issued on Thursday, seeks a private concessionaire to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the FTO for a concession period of 31 years. The project is aimed at addressing the growing shortage of trained commercial pilots in the country and reducing India's dependence on overseas flight training.
Senior officials said the earlier bidding attempt did not elicit firm responses due to a combination of commercial and regulatory concerns. "The first round coincided with a phase when global aviation training costs were volatile, and several operators were cautious about long-term commitments. There were also queries on risk allocation and infrastructure readiness, which we have now addressed in the revised framework," an official said.
The official added that inputs received during the Expressions of Interest (EoI) process in July 2024 helped TIDCO recalibrate the project. "We have fine-tuned the concession structure, clarified responsibilities on runway upgradation and approvals, and aligned the project more closely with DGCA requirements. This time, the response is expected to be stronger," the official said.
TIDCO reiterated that Kovilpatti was selected after a detailed technical and operational assessment. "Low air traffic density, stable weather conditions and good visibility make it an ideal location for ab-initio flight training," it said, adding that congestion at existing training hubs has made new locations essential.
The proposed FTO will operate from an unused airstrip located around 6 km from Kovilpatti town in the Thoothukudi district. The asphalt runway, measuring about 1.05 to 1.2 km in length and 15 metres in width, is spread across nearly 63 hectares in Nalatinputhur and Thonugal villages. Originally developed by Lakshmi Mills for private aircraft operations, the airstrip has remained unused for nearly two decades. Project documents note that while the runway requires repairs, the absence of heavy vegetation indicates that it can be restored without major reconstruction.
Under the revised RFP, the selected concessionaire will upgrade the runway to DGCA norms, build hangars, classrooms, hostels and allied facilities, and operate the FTO. Aircraft and simulators will be procured by the operator, while TIDCO will lease the land against an annual concession fee.
Bids are due by January 20, 2026, with a pre-bid meeting scheduled for January 5. Officials said the project, once operational, could position Kovilpatti as a major pilot training hub in southern India, supporting the long-term growth of the aviation sector.