Bhubaneswar

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced plans to establish a flying training organisation (FTO) and the state’s first drone training and testing centre, aimed at boosting the aviation ecosystem and creating new career opportunities.

The FTO is set to be developed at Dandbose Airport in Mayurbhanj district, where it will train 50 commercial pilots annually. Meanwhile, the drone centre at Rangeilunda Airstrip in Ganjam district will train over 100 drone pilots each year, supporting applications in agriculture, infrastructure, logistics, and disaster management.

“These initiatives will enhance Odisha’s aviation sector, equip our youth with future-ready skills, and make the state a key contributor to India’s technology-driven economy. We are committed to building a skilled, self-reliant, and aspirational Odisha,” Majhi said.

The Chief Minister also highlighted that Odisha’s Commerce and Transport Department signed two Memoranda of Understanding at the ‘Wings India 2026’ event in Hyderabad to strengthen aviation training infrastructure.

“At #WingsIndia2026, Odisha signed two landmark MoUs in the civil aviation sector, reaffirming our focus on skill development, innovation, and employment generation for our youth,” Majhi added in a post on X.

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Officials said the state presented its “future-ready aviation vision” at the event, emphasizing skill-driven growth and women-led initiatives in the sector.