India, Oct. 31 -- Amravati's Belora Airport is set to emerge as a pilot-training hub after receiving approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday for the Air India Flying Training Academy.

Deepak Kapoor, vice-chairman and managing director of the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), said the academy was expected to start operations as early as the first week of November.

"This is huge news for Amravati. The DGCA has finally issued the Certificate of Approval to the Air India Flying Training Academy at MADC's Amravati Airport. It is a game changer for our great city. The academy will open up new opportunities for the region while putting Amravati on the country's aviation map," Kapoor said.

The aca...