Though Gujarati by descent, Hemant Shah has long been committed to supporting Indian youth in general and Punjabi youth in particular. That commitment continues in his second innings as Director, International and Global Affairs at Winnipeg Aviation.

An international businessman who moved to Canada in the early 1970s, Shah has spent decades dividing his time between Canada and India. In his current role, he is once again focused on developing student markets for Winnipeg Aviation, a recognized leader in flight training.

India is among the world’s fastest-growing civil aviation markets, requiring a steady supply of trained pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff. However, the country’s existing network of flying clubs and civil aviation infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with this rapid expansion.

Punjab and Haryana once had a strong network of flying clubs that produced high-quality commercial pilots. Over time, however, rapid technological changes and limited funding led state governments to deprioritize pilot training. As a result, aspiring pilots increasingly began seeking training opportunities overseas, with Canada emerging as a major destination, according to Shah. 

During Shah’s first tenure with Winnipeg Aviation, from 2006 to 2015–16, he played a pivotal role in recruiting and admitting students from South Asia. Hundreds of pilots currently flying in Indian airspace benefited from his outreach efforts during that period.

His deep engagement with South Asian markets earned him the informal title of “Mr. India” within Winnipeg Aviation. In 2016, Shah retired in what many considered a surprising and personal decision, choosing to step away from active professional life.

“During my earlier decade-long association with Winnipeg Aviation, I made several trips to India, recruiting and admitting students. I had visited many flying clubs, including Patiala Flying Club, in those days.

“Now, when the bilateral relations have started looking up, and a delegation of the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce is heading to India in the New Year, I am back, as Winnipeg Aviation approached me and convinced me to rejoin,” says Shah.

Explaining the decision to bring Shah back, Winnipeg Aviation highlighted his long-standing contributions and experience.

“Given Hemant’s experience, dedication, and commitment towards Canada-India trade relations, we at Winnipeg Aviation strongly feel it is the right time for Hemant to join our team and be part of the re-engagement of Canada-India trade relations,” says Capt. Dan Reeves of Winnipeg Aviation.

During his earlier association with the organization, Shah was instrumental in developing close working relationships with provincial and federal governments, as well as with foreign governments across South Asia and the Middle East. He also placed strong emphasis on ensuring that international students felt welcomed and safe during their time in Canada.

Winnipeg Aviation has been a leader in the flight training industry for more than 45 years, with a strong focus on safety and professionalism.

“We value safety and professionalism above all else. At Winnipeg Aviation, we believe in demanding the most from our students because they demand the most from us,” adds Capt. Reeves.

Many instructors at Winnipeg Aviation are career professionals with decades of experience and are widely recognized for their commitment to students and supportive teaching approach.

The organization operates out of St. Andrews Airport, located just eight minutes north of the Perimeter. The controlled airport is well suited for flight training and features three runways designed to maximize pilot training efficiency.

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