Mon Dec 08 18:30:16 UTC 2025: News Article Summary:
Indian Airlines Employ Nearly 14,000 Pilots, Focus on Training Upgrades
Mumbai, December 9, 2025 – India’s domestic airlines employ a total of 13,989 pilots, according to information presented to Parliament on Monday, December 8, 2025. Air India and Air India Express lead with 6,350 and 1,592 pilots, respectively, followed by IndiGo with 5,085. Smaller airlines like Akasa, SpiceJet, and Alliance Air also contribute to the workforce.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol addressed concerns about foreign pilot recruitment, attributing it to the need for specific type-rated pilots during fleet expansion. He highlighted the ongoing efforts to upgrade pilot training through the induction of 61 new training aircraft at 40 Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) across 62 bases. The DGCA has approved two new FTOs this year.
While infrastructure modernization is driven by market forces, Mr. Mohol emphasized that the DGCA aligns its training standards with ICAO’s best practices. Regular safety audits and spot checks ensure the quality and adequacy of pilot training.
Rewritten News Article:
Indian Airline Pilot Numbers Revealed: Training Efforts Intensify
Delhi, December 9, 2025 – A surge in air travel has spurred significant growth in the Indian aviation sector, with domestic airlines employing a combined total of 13,989 pilots. Air India and its low-cost counterpart, Air India Express, dominate the numbers with 6,350 and 1,592 pilots respectively, while IndiGo follows closely behind with 5,085. This data was revealed in Parliament yesterday by Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol.
Responding to questions about the employment of foreign pilots, Mr. Mohol clarified that their recruitment is primarily driven by the urgent need for pilots with specific type ratings, particularly during periods of rapid fleet expansion.
The government is also focusing on strengthening pilot training infrastructure. A total of 61 new training aircraft have been inducted by Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) as of November 2025. Currently, India has 40 operational FTOs across 62 bases, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) approving two new facilities this year.
“The modernisation of flying-training infrastructure is market dependent,” Mr. Mohol stated, emphasizing that safety remains a top priority. He highlighted the DGCA’s commitment to adhering to ICAO’s international standards and its rigorous safety oversight of FTOs through regular audits and spot checks. These measures aim to ensure the continued production of highly skilled and qualified pilots to meet the demands of India’s rapidly growing aviation industry.
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