Inaugurated by Shri Muralidhar Mohol, Union MoS for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, the facility at Aero Mall aims to prepare youth for India’s growing aviation sector.
PUNE: In a significant boost to aviation skill development in Western India, Global School of Aviation, the training arm of Global Flight Handling Services (A concessionaire of Airport Authority of India for Airport Ground Handling at Pune Airport), today inaugurated its Pune training facility at Aero Mall, adjacent to Pune International Airport. Shri Muralidhar Mohol, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Government of India, inaugurated the state-of-the-art centre.
The new facility underscores Pune’s growing stature in India’s aviation landscape, serving both as a key operational base for airport services and now as a hub for aviation training and employment.
“Pune has always been a city of talent and innovation. With the expansion of air connectivity under the UDAN scheme and the rise in passenger traffic, this new training centre will provide timely skilling opportunities for the region’s youth,” said Shri Muralidhar Mohol, Union MoS for Civil Aviation and Cooperation. “I commend Global School of Aviation for investing in Pune and supporting the Government of India’s vision of making India a global aviation hub.”
The Global School of Aviation Pune facility will offer diploma and certification programs in Airport Ground Handling, Cabin Crew Training, Airport Operations & Management, and degree programs in collaboration with AMET University. Plans are already underway to bring international certification programs from governing bodies and develop a fully equipped mock aircraft cabin to deliver real-world, hands-on training experiences.
“We are proud to launch this facility in Pune, which will enable us to meet our in-house requirements and provide the right platform to future aviators who are looking for an aviation career,” said Sarita Kumari, Managing Director, Global Flight Handling Services. “With over 400 staff working at Pune Airport—95% of whom are from the city and neighbouring districts—this centre is a natural extension of our commitment to local employment, skilling, and aviation excellence.”
Located inside Aero Mall, India’s first airport mall complex situated just opposite Pune International Airport, the training facility benefits from real-time exposure to airport operations. Trainees will be able to interact with professionals from Global Flight Handling Services, which operates across 23 Indian airports, including Pune, Aurangabad, Jalgaon, and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra alone. As an airport ground handling company, we remain committed to expanding our presence across Maharashtra and other parts of India, continuing our mission to elevate aviation infrastructure and training standards nationwide.
The facility is equipped with smart classrooms and multimedia-equipped training halls, cabin crew training labs (under development), career counselling and placement support, and access to on-ground practical exposure at Pune Airport.
Pune Airport, one of the fastest-growing airports in the country, handled over 10.54 million passengers in FY2024–25 and is undergoing significant expansion. With rising demand for both domestic and regional flights, the city is witnessing a parallel surge in the need for skilled aviation professionals across roles.
The Pune centre is the second facility under the Global School of Aviation brand, following the launch in Chennai in 2024. Centres in Kochi, Ahmedabad, and Visakhapatnam are scheduled to launch soon.
Global School of Aviation is a vertical of Global Flight Handling Services, a group company of Updater Services Ltd., India’s largest integrated facilities and business support services provider with a workforce of over 65,000.
“This is not just a training centre; it’s a gateway to careers in aviation for thousands of young Indians,” added Sarita. “We want to ensure that anyone aspiring for an aviation career—whether on the ground or in the air—has access to quality education, global certification, and practical experience.”