Mumbai: In the next 10 years, as Indian carriers expand their aircraft fleet and routes, the airline industry will need to hire an estimated 17,000 pilots to take up the total number of airline pilots to 21,681 in FY 2028, said a report released by Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, a global aviation consultancy firm.
Indian carriers currently have 7,963 pilots and they will need 14,000 more pilots to take the number to 21,681. But an attrition of 3-5% commanders has been forecast with Indian pilots moving to take up jobs in the Middle East and those quitting due to medical reasons. Factor in attrition, and Indian carriers will need to hire 17,164 pilots in the next 10 years. Out of this, 16,000 will be at first officer level, and 1,000 will be commanders. “The balance requirement for 9,000 commanders is assumed to be generated from the promotion of existing first officers,” said the report.
