IndiGo to hire 900 pilots, but it’s a tough job ahead

Airline to add 158 pilots by 10 February, CEO says it’s getting back ‘step by step’

- Dipali Banka & Abhishek Law

IndiGo is moving to rapidly rebuild its pilot pool after a shortage nearly grounded its network last week, outlining a plan to add 158 pilots by 10 February and 742 more by December next year. Experts, however, say meeting the target will be challenging, especially as new night-operation limits require airlines to roster more pilots.

InterGlobe Aviation Ltd has submitted its hiring plan to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), stating it would hire 300 captains and 600 junior first officers over the next 12 months. Mint has seen a copy of the submission, which comes in the wake of IndiGo’s collapse last week that cascaded to other airlines, and forced the regulator and the aviation ministry to step in.

“IndiGo have an under-training pool of 250 junior first officers over the next 12 months; IndiGo shall hire/upgrade 300 captains and 600 junior first officers to cater for our medium-term requirements,” the airline wrote in its submission to DGCA.