Jakkur Flying School Resumes Operations After DGCA Clearance; Mysuru Shift Plan Put on Hold

By Political Bureau | Bangalore Mail

July 21, 2026

BENGALURU: Ending nearly three years of uncertainty, the historic Government Flying Training School (GFTS) at Jakkur Aerodrome is set to resume pilot training after receiving official clearance from the aviation regulator.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted a five-year approval certificate to the institute on July 16, enabling it to restart its training modules and flying courses.

Five-Year Renewal Revives Heritage Institute

The approval allows GFTS to offer a full spectrum of pilot certification and training programmes, including:

 Student Pilot Licence (SPL)

 Private Pilot Licence (PPL)

 Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)

 Flight Radio Telephone Operator Licence (FRTOL)

 Single-engine and multi-engine flight instructor training

The 77-year-old institute—one of India’s oldest pilot training facilities—had been grounded since December 2023 after its previous regulatory clearance expired without immediate renewal. The delay left aspiring pilots in limbo and sparked widespread debate over the state government’s handling of the facility.

Political Tug-of-War and Real Estate Concerns

The state government under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had previously considered expanding the Jakkur runway by three acres to accommodate larger training aircraft. However, the government later floated a proposal to relocate the flying school entirely to the Mysuru Aerodrome.

The relocation proposal met with strong pushback from aviation experts, heritage conservationists, and civic activists. Critics alleged that moving the school away from Bengaluru was driven by real estate motives.

Because active aerodromes impose strict height restrictions on surrounding airspace, shifting the school would have cleared the way for high-rise commercial and residential developments in northern Bengaluru’s lucrative property market.

Legacy Built on Royal History

Inaugurated in 1949, the Jakkur aerodrome stands on land gifted by Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, the last ruling Maharaja of Mysore. Over seven decades, the institute has trained thousands of commercial and defense aviators, serving as an integral chapter in Karnataka’s aviation history.

With the five-year DGCA certification now secured, operations at Jakkur are set to resume, putting shifting plans on hold and preserving the city’s legacy in aviation training.