IndiGo currently employs 5,463 pilots and will need an additional 11,778 pilots in the future. Likewise, Tata Air India has 3,280 pilots and will require 5,870 more.
the minister of state for civil aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, stated that IndiGo, being the largest airline in India, will need more than 11,000 pilots in the next decade, while Air India will require over 5,800 pilots in the same timeframe.
The directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) reports that SpiceJet will need 1,630 pilots, Akasa Air has no immediate requirements, and Air India Express will require 2,196 pilots by the financial year (FY) 2028, as mentioned by Mohol in a written response to lawmakers Kuldeep Indora and Gaurav Gogoi.
Increasing demand for airline pilots
Currently, IndiGo has 5,463 pilots and will require 11,778 more. In a similar vein, Tata Air India has 3,280 pilots and will need 5,870. Air India Express has 2,169 pilots, SpiceJet employs 369 pilots, and the newest airline, Akasa Air, has 787 pilots, with the minister emphasizing that there is no lack of trained pilots in the industry.
“The government has received a request from the Airlines Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA) concerning the regulation of training fees imposed by airlines on aspiring trainee pilots, particularly highlighting the high costs associated with Type Rating,” he stated.
Commenting on pilot training programs, Mohol noted that these programs are highly technical and specialized, and the costs associated with training are influenced by the elevated prices of fuel (AvGas 100LL) utilized in aircraft, costly aircraft spare parts, imported flight simulators for training, and the type and number of aircraft used for training.
The minister pointed out that most of the aircraft utilized for training in the country are manufactured overseas, which contributes to their high costs.
Indian aviation has experienced significant growth over the past two to three years due to industry consolidation. As the number of passengers increases, Indian airlines are expanding, consequently driving up the demand for crew members.
Airline deliveries
In 2024, Indian airlines added 134 aircraft to their fleets, compared to 119 the previous year, as revealed by data on the website on Tuesday. Among the 134 planes, full-service carrier Air India welcomed 24 aircraft, including five A350s, while Air India Express, the airline’s low-cost division, introduced 18 new aircraft.
Boeing, in its pilot forecast, has estimated that the world will need 674,000 new pilots over the next two decades; another forecast from the consultancy Oliver Wyman anticipates a global shortage of nearly 80,000 pilots by 2032.
Given this substantial demand on the horizon, it is clear that becoming a pilot is one of the most rewarding professions available today. However, the declining quality of training programs and the exorbitant fees charged by pilot training schools discourage many individuals from pursuing this career path.
Air India orders trainer aircraft
Air India has made an acquisition of 34 trainer aircraft for its forthcoming flying school in Amravati, where it anticipates that 180 commercial pilots will graduate annually to satisfy the increasing need for pilots. The flying training organization (FTO) located at Amravati in Maharashtra is projected to become operational in the latter half of 2025.
The recent acquisition comprises 31 single-engine planes from Piper Aircraft in the United States and three twin-engine planes from Diamond Aircraft in Austria.
Over the past two years, the Tata Group-backed airline has placed orders for a total of 570 commercial aircraft—220 from Boeing in the United States and 350 from Airbus in Europe.
“The trainer aircraft, set to begin delivery in 2025, will feature glass cockpits, G1000 avionics systems, and Jet A1 engines, ensuring advanced training for aspiring pilots. This FTO is being established at Amravati’s Belora airport and aims to graduate 180 commercial pilots each year,” the airline stated in a release.
Trainer aircraft are lightweight and simpler planes designed specifically for flight instruction, focusing on maneuverability and fundamental controls for novice pilots. In contrast, commercial aircraft are larger, designed for the transport of passengers or cargo, and prioritize efficiency, comfort, and sophisticated avionics.
Sakthi aircraft industry set to manufacture aircraft
Sakthi Aircraft Industry, a collaborative venture between the Tamil Nadu-based Sakthi Group and Austria’s Diamond Aircraft, will initially produce 150 DA40 NG trainer planes in India, which will significantly enhance indigenous manufacturing efforts. The joint venture is set to deliver a total of 200 trainer aircraft to various Flying Training Organizations (FTOs) across India.
An MoU (memorandum of understanding) was formalized between the Aero Club of India and Sakthi Aircraft Industry during an event in the national capital on Tuesday.
Sakthi Aircraft’s MD and CEO Vaibhav D confirmed that the agreement involves 200 trainer DA40 NG planes, with 150 of these aircraft to be assembled at a facility planned by Sakthi Aircraft Industry, which is expected to be established in Haryana.
The initial deliveries of the aircraft are anticipated by May 2025, with a production goal of 100 planes per year.
According to a statement, the order for 200 planes represents one of the largest single orders for trainer aircraft, and this collaboration is expected to facilitate the training of 1,000 pilots annually and a total of 10,000 pilots over the next decade.
During the event, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu remarked that the signing of the MoU is a significant step forward in the pursuit of establishing India as a global hub for FTOs.
Aero Club of India President Rajiv Pratap Rudy stated that the partnership with Sakthi Aircraft Industry represents a crucial development in strengthening India’s aviation sector.
“By ensuring a consistent supply of Diamond DA40 NG aircraft, we are addressing the rising demand for skilled pilots and enhancing our flight training infrastructure,” he noted.
For all aviation-related guidance (DGCA ground classes, pilot training, cabin crew training)
Contact us https://contrail.in/
phone numbers +91 78457 69399