India Anticipates Demand for 30,000 Pilots in Upcoming Two Decades Due to Industry Growth: Minister
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Synopsis
On March 11, Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu revealed that India will need about 30,000 pilots over the next 15 to 20 years due to the expansion of airlines. The minister highlighted the importance of enhancing pilot training and the government's plans to support this growth.
Key Takeaways
- India requires approximately 30,000 pilots in 15-20 years.
- Domestic airlines have ordered over 1,700 new aircraft.
- Strengthening pilot training is crucial for the aviation sector.
- Government reviewing 38 Flying Training Organisations.
- Collaboration to provide indigenously manufactured trainer aircraft.
New Delhi, March 11 (NationPress) India is projected to need approximately 30,000 pilots in the next 15 to 20 years as the aviation sector continues its expansion, according to Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu on Tuesday.
He pointed out that domestic airlines have placed orders for over 1,700 aircraft, which will augment the existing fleet of more than 800 planes.
While addressing an event for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning 200 trainer aircraft, the minister emphasized the necessity of enhancing pilot training within the nation.
“Currently, there are 6,000 to 7,000 active pilots, and with the increasing demand, India should aspire to be a central hub for pilot training,” he remarked.
To achieve this ambition, the government is assessing 38 Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) and intends to implement a rating system for these institutions.
Naidu also noted that the aviation ministry is devising a plan to categorize airports, potentially establishing dedicated airports for cargo operations and pilot training.
“I was honored to serve as the Chief Guest at the MoU signing between the Aero Club of India and Sakthi Aircraft Industries today,” Naidu shared on social media platform X.
This significant collaboration will deliver locally manufactured trainer aircraft to India’s FTOs, minimizing reliance on imports and fortifying our aviation training framework.
Training aircraft serve as the foundation of pilot development, and this initiative is set to revolutionize the empowerment of the next generation of skilled pilots in India.
India ranks among the fastest-growing aviation markets globally, and the growth of airline networks is generating new job possibilities.
The government aims to bolster infrastructure and training facilities to meet the future demands of the industry.
Domestic air passenger traffic in India maintained its upward trajectory in January, estimating 150.3 lakh passengers, as indicated by a new report. This marks a 0.7 percent increase compared to December 2024 and a notable 14.5 percent surge from January of last year.
Moreover, January's traffic surpassed pre-Covid levels (January 2020) by an impressive 17.9 percent, according to an ICRA report.
