Indian Aviation Companies Employed 284 Foreign Pilots Till September

As many as 284 foreign pilots were employed by domestic aviation companies at the end of September, with IndiGo having the highest number of overseas pilots at 94, according to the government.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma today informed the Lok Sabha there were 284 foreign pilots at various aviation companies as on September 30.

Out of them, no-frills carrier IndiGo had 94 foreign pilots, followed by Jet Airways (84), Air Costa (14), Air India Charters Ltd (11) and Alliance Air (10).

While national carrier Air India did not have any foreign pilot, there were 41 such pilots employed by various "non-scheduled/other operators", according to a written reply.

At the end of September, GoAir had nine foreign pilots, AirAsia (7), Air Pegasus (5), SpiceJet (4), Blue Dart (4) and Vistara (1).

"There is a shortage of type rated commanders in the country due to growth in aviation industry and induction of new aircraft in the fleet of the airlines," Sharma said.

Sufficient numbers are Indian co-pilots are available and employed with the airlines. However, they do not possess sufficient training and experience as required to become commander on that type, the Minister noted.

According to him, 268 co-pilots were upgraded to commanders of scheduled airlines last year.

To a separate query, Sharma said that in the current year, two cases have come to the notice of DGCA in which pilot had submitted fake documents for obtaining his licence.

In the last three years, no cases have come to the notice of DGCA where pilots had submitted fake documents or certificates, he said in another written reply.

"DGCA now verifies the authenticity of the result from the examination division of DGCA.

"For conversion of foreign licences into Indian licences, the licences are being verified from the concerned regulatory authority of the state issuing the foreign licence," Sharma said.