India’s aviation sector is primed to chart new heights, but a stymying factor that could serve as a significant headwind is the lack of skilled pilots.
According to an analysis by aviation advisory CAPA India, the nation will need 10,900 additional pilots by FY 2030,. It estimates that the total number of pilots required will rise to 22,400 by 2029, up from the current strength of 11,745. In 2023, India issued 1,622 commercial pilot licenses (CPL) – the highest ever. However, even if the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) maintains this issuance rate annually, there will still be a shortage of 2,375 pilots over the next five years.
Industry experts believe this gap could impact India’s civil aviation sector, which is experiencing rapid growth in passenger traffic and fleet expansion. Jaideep Mirchandani, Group Chairman of Sky One, weighed in with his thoughts. “The pilot shortage, of course, can be a major hurdle to the ambitious growth plans of Indian aviation. It can directly affect the fleet expansion plans of Indian carriers, disrupt operations and ultimately lead to higher operational costs for airlines. While outsourcing manpower is possible in many areas, it is not feasible for pilots, who are in high demand and form the core of aviation.”
“Competitive salary packages, career growth opportunities and benefits, along with addressing work-life balance and pilot fatigue, are key to retaining the existing workforce. This calls for a well-structured programme to reduce the migration of skilled pilots and strengthen the domestic workforce,” he adds.
Stressing that specialised training, qualifications, and the high demand for their expertise make it crucial for airlines to employ and retain pilots directly rather than relying on external sources, Mr Mirchandani highlights the need for the aviation industry to take decisive steps to address these myriad issues.
Mr. Mirchandani believes that it is equally important to nurture fresh talent by inspiring them to consider aviation as an exciting and solid career path. “The government should focus on expanding the number of training institutions and fast-track pilot certification norms. Since establishing world-class pilot schools is expensive, the focus can be on collaborations with existing international institutions. This will help bring in the expertise of foreign trainers while ensuring that the training meets global standards,” he says.
The Sky One chairman said that, like the regional connectivity scheme UDAN, the government can consider similar proposals for the betterment of domestic pilot training. Hr summed up his thoughts by saying, “Providing financial aid to the training sector, awareness campaigns in schools and colleges, and sharing stories of successful aviators can inspire more youngsters. It should be a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Education and airlines.”
