Indian aviation is conquering the world with its highest number of female pilots, leaving a huge scope for pilot careers in India. The aviation industry in India is witnessing tremendous growth with the expansion of various airlines. As a result, the demand for commercial pilots is increasing day by day. Tourism is increasing, new routes are being added, and the government is extending significant support to regional airlines. This has led to a higher demand for pilots than ever before! This blog explores the current demand and the future scope for commercial pilots in India, which will help you to make a career choice in aviation.
What is the Current Demand for Commercial Pilots in India?
The current demand for commercial pilots in India is strong due to various factors mentioned below:-
- Expansion of Airlines: Major airlines in India are growing fast, adding more planes and introducing new routes. This rapid growth means they need a lot more pilots to keep up. IndiGo, India’s largest airline, grew its international capacity by 47% in the December 2023 quarter as it launched six new international destinations. Indian airlines have placed massive aircraft orders to support this expansion.
- Increased Air Traffic: India is becoming a major global travel hub, causing a significant increase in air traffic. India’s domestic air passenger traffic is expected to double in the next six years, reaching 300 million by the end of 2030. The domestic passenger traffic saw a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9% from 2013 to 2023. The rise in both domestic and international flights means there’s a growing need for more pilots.
- Post-Pandemic Recovery: The aviation industry is bouncing back strongly from the COVID-19 pandemic. Domestic air travel has soared, and international travel is making a comeback, leading to a higher demand for pilots.
- Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN): The Indian government’s UDAN scheme is boosting regional connectivity by making air travel more affordable and accessible. This initiative has resulted in new routes and airports, creating more pilot jobs in India.
- Global Shortage of Pilots: The worldwide shortage of pilots affects India too, as many Indian pilots are hired by international airlines. This creates a domestic gap that needs to be filled, increasing the demand for pilots in India.
- Fleet Modernisation and Expansion: Indian airlines are expanding and modernising their fleets with new, more efficient aircraft. This process requires training new pilots and retraining existing ones, driving the demand for pilots even higher.
Quantitative Indicators:
While exact numbers can fluctuate, several indicators highlight the scale of the demand:
- Fleet Size and Orders: Indian airlines have placed substantial orders for new aircraft. For example, IndiGo has placed a record order for 500 Airbus A320 Family aircraft, including A320neo, A321neo, and A321XLR variants. This order, placed in June 2023, takes IndiGo’s total order book with Airbus to 1,330 aircraft, making it the world’s biggest customer for the A320 Family, which will require a corresponding number of new pilots.
- Training Academy Enrollments: Since the pilot training cost in India is comparatively lower here, the pilot training academies in India report high enrollment rates, reflecting the industry’s demand for new pilots.
- Job Postings and Recruitment Drives: Frequent recruitment drives and job postings by airlines indicate ongoing and urgent demand for pilots.
What is the Future Scope For Commercial Pilots in India?
The future scope for commercial pilots in India appears promising due to several developments in the aviation industry:
- Continued Growth of the Aviation Sector: Indian aviation is currently ranked the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world. The Indian aviation industry is expected to continue its rapid growth, driven by increasing passenger traffic and expansion plans of airlines. This growth will require a steady supply of new pilots.
- Expanding Fleet Size: Indian airlines are projected to expand their fleets significantly in the coming years. Air India has ordered 470 aircraft, while IndiGo has ordered 480 planes. This rapid fleet growth is creating a significant need for more pilots. As more aircraft are added, the demand for pilots will correspondingly increase.
- Regional Connectivity and Infrastructure Development: Government initiatives like the UDAN scheme and investments in airport infrastructure are expected to enhance regional connectivity. With 517 regional connectivity scheme routes in operation and 76 airports connected, UDAN has made air travel easier for over 1.30 crore people contributing to economic expansion. New routes and airports will necessitate more pilots to operate flights to and from these destinations.
- Rising Middle-Class Population and Air Travel: With the middle-class population growing, more people are likely to opt for air travel. Increased affordability and frequency of flights will drive demand for more pilots.
- The emergence of New Airlines: New airlines entering the market and existing airlines expanding their operations will create additional job opportunities for pilots. There has been an increase from 300 registered Indian aircraft to 700 in India. In the next ten years, approximately 200 new airports and 2,000 aircraft are anticipated to be built. Further, it is predicted that the percentage of Indians who fly will increase from 4% to 10%, providing additional room for expansion. This competition among airlines to attract and retain skilled pilots may also lead to better remuneration and working conditions.
- Growing Tourism Industry: India’s tourism industry is expanding, with both inbound and outbound tourism on the rise. The growth in tourism drives higher demand for flights and, consequently, for pilots.
- Global Demand for Indian Pilots: Indian pilots are highly regarded for their skills and training. As global pilot shortages persist, there will be opportunities for Indian pilots to work with international airlines, further enhancing their career prospects.
- Technological Advancements and Training: Advances in aviation technology and pilot training programs will improve the quality of pilot education in India. Modern simulators and training facilities will produce well-trained pilots, meeting the high standards required by airlines.
- Retirement Wave of Existing Pilots: Many experienced pilots are approaching retirement age, creating vacancies that will need to be filled by new pilots. This demographic shift will drive demand for fresh talent in the industry.
- Cargo and Charter Flights: According to updated data from the Airport Authority of India (AAI), shipments into and out of Indian airports increased 7% year over year to 3.4 million tonnes in the fiscal year 2023–24, which concluded in March. The growth of cargo and charter flight operations, especially with the rise of e-commerce, will create additional opportunities for commercial pilots. These sectors are expanding rapidly and require a skilled workforce.
- Sustainability and Green Aviation Initiatives: The push for sustainable aviation and the adoption of new, environment-friendly aircraft will open new avenues for pilots trained in handling advanced, eco-friendly aviation technology.
- Government Support and Policies: The Indian Government proposed a change in the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP). The policy helped in shifting the idea of “open skies” agreements with SAARC nations and other countries to increase international connectivity, Continued support from the government in terms of policies, subsidies, and initiatives like these will boost the aviation sector to create a conducive environment for the growth of the pilot profession.
- Diverse Career Paths: Besides traditional commercial flying roles, pilots in India can explore diverse career paths, including roles in corporate aviation, flight training, aviation management, and regulatory bodies.
The aviation industry in India is on a robust growth trajectory, creating an exciting and dynamic environment for commercial pilots. Join Insight Aviation’s IndiGo Cadet Pilot Programme to give wings to your dreams of becoming a commercial pilot! For how to become a pilot in India also read this article:-
https://www.insightflyer.com/how-to-become-a-pilot-after-12th-in-india/
FAQs
Q. How to get a Job after an Aviation Course?
A. After you get trained, complete flight hours, and receive your commercial pilot license, you can appear for an interview process with various airlines to pursue your dream career.
Q. How To Take Pilot Entrance Exam After the 12th?
A. After the 12th the first step is to obtain an SPL. This involves passing a written examination on subjects such as Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation, and Aircraft and Engines. The candidate has to undergo entrance exams mandated by DGCA.
Q. What is the future scope for commercial pilots in India?
A. The future of pilots is tremendous in India due to the various factors mentioned above. The commercial pilot salary in India is highly attractive and should be a factor to consider while making a career in the aviation industry