According to sources at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, more than 120 foreign pilots have been granted Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorisation (FATA) since March this year. That number stood at 67 in March, according to a statement made by Minister of State for Civil Aviation VK Singh in Lok Sabha.

Before the pandemic broke, there were about foreign 400 pilots working with Indian companies. Industry experts said the number of foreign pilots could potentially get higher than pre-Covid levels if the aviation boom is sustained for another couple of years.

They added that there is a great demand for pilots for wide-body aircraft, those that fly for long hours and long distances, especially after Air India and IndiGo announced their ambitious expansion plans. Both the airlines have already placed orders for 470 and 480 aircraft, respectively.

Lacking Infrastructure?

Ajay Jasra, an aviation expert, said there is no dearth of pilots in India but those who can fly Boeing 777s are limited. He said the Indian aviation industry faces the dual challenge of an inadequate pilot training infrastructure and the ongoing brain drain.

“The primary issue lies in our insufficient and inefficient pilot training system, hindering the production of high-quality pilots domestically,” Jasra said. “Additionally, the exodus of skilled commanders and captain-level pilots, whether from civil or retired defence pilots to foreign airlines exacerbates the situation,” he added.

There are 35 flight training institutes in India, producing close to 900 pilots every year. But they are freshers and employed as co-pilots.

With increasing expat pilots, preferential treatment and pay disparity have also emerged as a big concern. Many Air India pilots, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the airliner offers better pay and facilities to expats when compared to Indians even if the latter have more flying experience.

“Simply put, expat pilots get 100 per cent payment for 75 per cent of work,” said an Indian pilot employed with Air India.

Foreign Connection

DGCA sources confirmed that Air India has emerged as one of the biggest recruiters of foreign pilots. “Of late, around 50 foreign pilots have been hired by Air India because the Tata Group, after taking over Air India in early 2022, decided to increase its fleet size by adding more Boeing 777s. The company plans to start more long-haul flights,” one of the sources said.

Last year, Air India admitted they would have to hire expat pilots to expedite their expansion. In the long run, it plans to open a flight training institute.

“Air India has no other way than to take expat pilots on board. In fact, in the coming months, as per the recruitment plans, more expat pilots will be offered jobs as the operation of one Boeing 777 needs anywhere between 20 to 25 pilots,” said a former Air India official, who did not want to be named.

When Air India was owned by the government, it stopped employing foreign pilots following a controversy. “It was alleged a recruitment firm was pushing foreign pilots, mainly from African and Asian countries, and making money,” said SS Panesar, former Chief of Flight Safety at Air India.

“Since then the hiring of foreign pilots was put on hold in Air India but now Air India under its new employer has initiated this process again,” he said.

(Praveen Mishra is an independent journalist. Views expressed are personal)