Pilot shortage creates turbulence for aviation sector

India's aviation market is growing, but pilot shortage is a core issue. Data shows gradual rise in CPLs, but mismatch between aircraft and crew persists. Private flying academies, airlines' own training and foreign pilots are potential solutions. Cadet pilots face high costs, lack of freedom and uncertain job prospects. Solutions need to be brainstormed to address pilot shortage and its consequences.

Reports of Akasa Air, initiating legal action and seeking ₹21.6 crore as compensation from 43 of its former pilots for leaving without serving their six-month notice period, and in turn, India’s youngest and low cost airline suffering significant flight cancellations — 600 in August and about 700 in September — have again spotlighted a core issue airlines in the country are facing: pilot shortage.

India is now the third largest aviation market, with the UDAN Yojana (the Regional Connectivity Scheme) playing a role. India’s airlines are also making periodic announcements of aircraft deals, fleet inductions and pilot additions — Air India recently inducted a few hundred pilots who include expatriates — but beyond the gloss, the hard truth is a mismatch between aircraft and availability of (experienced) crew. As an aviation expert says, ‘It is easier to get planes than pilots.’

Data by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) show a gradual rise in the issuance of commercial pilot licences (CPL): 640 (2018); 744 (2019); 578 (2020); 862 (2021) and 1,061 (2022). In 2021-22, there were 8,508 pilots flying in India.

A single aisle aircraft requires between 12 to 14 pilots and a twin-aisle about 25 pilots for an airline to ensure regular operations. Given the 1,100-plus new aircraft orders (a mix of single and twin aisle) by Indian airlines, the number of flight crew needed is estimated to run into a few thousands.

On the ground there are 34 DGCA approved Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) at 52 bases (November 2022 data), being run under the central and State governments, as well as the private sector. In addition, there are about six approved aviation training centres with 40 simulators. The difference now is that private flying academies are also getting licences. Airlines too are going ahead with their training plans. In an exclusive interview with The Hindu, in Chennai, in May 2023, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson highlighted extensive plans for a pilot training academy and creating an aviation ecosystem that looks at flying schools. Indigo too has its own plans for an academy.

Aviation consultants have highlighted the need for more flying institutes, airlines having their own training and even enhancing a tried and tested third route, namely, hiring foreign pilots. On the issue of foreign pilots, there are less than a 100 foreign nationals in India (DGCA data), but to retain talent here, the issue revolves around tax incentives. Cadet pilots have their woes too.

While the data and plans look rosy, there are more serious issues dogging the industry, which senior crew and cadet pilots highlight. Captain Sam Thomas, President, Airline Pilots Association of India (12,000 hours of flying experience), says, “The present shortage of pilots is because it is so difficult to run a flying training centre as the corrupt officials throw the book at you that was published way before Independence. The medical standards are managed by Indian Air Force doctors, grounding quite a lot of civil pilots. Airlines have also begun to charge cadets for type rating. A course that costs ₹18 lakh jumps to almost a crore with airlines charging fees under one pretext or the other. The airlines pressurise the DGCA to promulgate rules that are blatantly illegal and the judiciary constantly gives judgement without application of mind despite knowing the labour laws well.”