French aviation training company Simaero plans to expand its simulator fleet in India and build local expertise in simulator engineering, CEO Nicolas Moute said in an interview with PTI.
Simaero’s long-term vision is to build a centre of excellence for aviation training that serves not just India but the wider South Asian region. The company plans to operate up to six simulators in India over the next five years and intends to transfer knowledge and technical expertise to Indian engineers.
These engineers will take on complex work including simulator upgrades, software integration, visual system enhancements, server replacements and simulator relocations. The move comes at a time when a significant share of pilot training for Indian aviators still happens overseas, despite India’s rapidly expanding fleet orders and flight networks.
“One of the biggest advantages India offers is its highly skilled workforce. We see tremendous potential in developing local engineering talent, particularly in specialised areas such as simulator engineering and technology services,” Moute said.
He added that Simaero will train local engineers directly, working closely with experienced teams from France, South Africa and other global centres. “We expect our workforce to grow significantly, with Indian engineers taking on increasingly sophisticated responsibilities,” he stated.
Simaero entered India in 2023 through its subsidiary Simaero India Pvt Ltd, and in 2024 announced a total investment of 200 million euros in the country over ten years for training facilities. The company already operates its first A320 NEO full-flight simulator in Gurgaon and has said it plans to expand that footprint significantly as Indian carriers, which have more than 1,200 Airbus aircraft and 470 Boeing aircraft on order, push up demand for local training capacity.
On the impact of AI on aviation training, Moute said the technology is becoming an increasingly important part of the sector, particularly for improving operational efficiency. “AI has the potential to make these training programmes more efficient by helping analyse training data, personalise learning pathways and optimise simulator utilisation,” he explained, while stressing that AI is designed to complement, not replace, the expertise of instructors and established training methodologies.
