Lucknow, June 11 -- Kushinagar International Airport, which has seen limited commercial activity recently, is poised for a transformation with a proposed Flight Training Organisation (FTO) on its premises, positioning the airport as an emerging hub for pilot training in northern India. If approved, this academy would mark a pivotal moment for Kushinagar, shifting its role from an underutilised facility to a centre for aviation skill development.

This development is particularly significant given that scheduled commercial flights from Kushinagar have been largely suspended since November 2023, when SpiceJet ceased operations. While the airport was originally developed to support the Buddhist circuit and improve international connectivity,...