A new licensing system that will shake up pilot training

Indian aviation finds itself at the crossroads — again. Currently, the country of 1.4 billion is being serviced by a total of 850-odd aircraft (many are grounded due to various constraints at any point) but by 2040, based on the aircraft on order, another 1,200 should be added to the country's total fleet strength.

- Anjuli Bhargava

The shortage of commanders and pilots to operate this fleet is already at around 15-20% as per industry estimates, and is expécted to rise as airlines begin to induct their new aircraft. Consulting firm CAPA has estimated that India will need another 10,000 new captains in the next decade, till 2034. Airbus has further projected that the country — based on its present aircraft orders — will require 34,000 new pilots by the year 2040.

Individual airlines are also fearing an acute shortage that could throw their plans awry as they go forward. IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, which currently has around 5300 commanders and first officers (with around 400 under training at any point) expects to double this by 2030 based on current fleet induction plans. The Tata group has recently announced plans to set up a new academy to prepare crew for its own growing needs for all the carriers under their fold. Airline executives also say that unlike in the past when commanding an aircraft was considered a glamorous and a coveted career, today's young people have a plethora of options with equally lucrative salaries. “We have seen the enthusiasm wane when we make campus pitches”, says a senior IndiGo manager.

To overcome this yawning gap, airlines have thrown their weight behind a new pathway — a multi-crew pilots licence — which would alter the way pilots are trained in India currently. The existing system of training and readying pilots is such that pilots train on smaller aircraft and earn a commercial pilot's licence (CPL). CPL licence holders then have to undergo extensive training to work in a commercial airliner.