Kingfisher Airlines on Monday said the company would invest Rs 200 crore to set up a pilot training centre at Nerul in Navi Mumbai.
Mallya, who is also the Chairman of the world's second largest spirit maker, the UB Group, said he had no plans to foray into the fast expanding organised retail sector.
The training institute, Mallya said, would be operational next year.
"Along with simulators and other accessories, the institute will require Rs 200 crore investment."
He said the UB Group has a brewery at Nerul, which would be shifted to Taloja, also in Navi Mumbai.
The Indian aviation sector is set to receive around 400 new aircraft in the next four to five years. Coupled with the existing demand, the need for pilots would go up substantially in the next few years.
Mallya was talking to reporters after inaugurating the Kingfisher Training Academy here.
The academy, set up at an investment of Rs 10 crore, would prepare youth for new-age, fast growing career in retail, hospitality, aviation and customer services management sectors.
"The academy is a gateway for aspiring youth to equip themselves with specific skill sets required for the services industry," Mallya said.
The academy would have 10 centres excluding the existing facility at Andheri in Mumbai, he said, adding the metropolis may house another academy.
Asked about his intention to foray into the retail sector, Mallya said he only invested after taking a "very clear and calculative decision"
"We have invested in Whyte and Mackay (which he acquired recently) because we know that there is a need for scotch whisky in India. The same is applicable for Kingfisher Training Academy and the proposed pilot training centre. I don't invest in an area only because others are doing so," he said.
Meanwhile, Mallya said his private airline does not have plans to increase fares at this point of time.
"Monsoon is coming and the industry faces an usual slump. At this point, we don't have plans to raise fares."
Mallya, however, rued that a lot of discounting on fare is going on in the aviation sector, where existing players are facing intense competition.
"It's unfortunate, but we have to ride it out," Mallya said.
Mallya, who is also the Chairman of the world's second largest spirit maker, the UB Group, said he had no plans to foray into the fast expanding organised retail sector.
The training institute, Mallya said, would be operational next year.
"Along with simulators and other accessories, the institute will require Rs 200 crore investment."
He said the UB Group has a brewery at Nerul, which would be shifted to Taloja, also in Navi Mumbai.
The Indian aviation sector is set to receive around 400 new aircraft in the next four to five years. Coupled with the existing demand, the need for pilots would go up substantially in the next few years.
Mallya was talking to reporters after inaugurating the Kingfisher Training Academy here.
The academy, set up at an investment of Rs 10 crore, would prepare youth for new-age, fast growing career in retail, hospitality, aviation and customer services management sectors.
"The academy is a gateway for aspiring youth to equip themselves with specific skill sets required for the services industry," Mallya said.
The academy would have 10 centres excluding the existing facility at Andheri in Mumbai, he said, adding the metropolis may house another academy.
Asked about his intention to foray into the retail sector, Mallya said he only invested after taking a "very clear and calculative decision"
"We have invested in Whyte and Mackay (which he acquired recently) because we know that there is a need for scotch whisky in India. The same is applicable for Kingfisher Training Academy and the proposed pilot training centre. I don't invest in an area only because others are doing so," he said.
Meanwhile, Mallya said his private airline does not have plans to increase fares at this point of time.
"Monsoon is coming and the industry faces an usual slump. At this point, we don't have plans to raise fares."
Mallya, however, rued that a lot of discounting on fare is going on in the aviation sector, where existing players are facing intense competition.
"It's unfortunate, but we have to ride it out," Mallya said.