India’s biggest carrier IndiGo has onboarded more than 1,000 pilots in the last two years to aid its aggressive growth plans even as the rest of the industry faced issues like grounded aircraft due to pilot shortages.With a tally of 5,456, IndiGo had the largest pool of pilots by the end of FY25, which was more than the combined total of Indian water and Air India Express (5,449), both controlled by the Tata group.
Hiring of pilots
Over the past two years airlines have resorted to aggressive hiring of pilots, cabin crews and engineers to keep up with the consumer demand for air connectivity even as they continue to induct new aircraft on a regular basis.In December 2024, low cost carrier Akasa Air, saw multiple resignations by pilots who served no notice period. Because of these sudden departures, the airline had to cancel several scheduled flights.
For FY25, the domestic air passenger traffic stood at around 165 million, a 17% growth over the pre-Covid level of around 141 million in FY20. The international passenger traffic for Indian carriers stood at 34 million, higher than the pre-Covid level of 23 million by 49%.
There was a 17% drop in the number of commercial pilot licenses (CPL) issued in 2024 to 1,342 compared to 1622 CPLs issued in 2023, as per data submitted by the government in the Parliament. While adding that there is no shortage of trained pilots among airlines, the industry will generate demand for nearly 21,500 pilots by 2034, the government said. IndiGo, meanwhile, is continuing to push for diversity in its pilot pool.
Female pilots
It’s strength of female pilots, which is already three times the world average, is set to gain further ground this year. “With 16% female pilots, we have one of the highest percentages in the world. On India’s 77 years of independence, we welcomed 77 new female pilots and by 2025 expect to have 1,000 female pilots in our workforce,” Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo said to shareholders in the annual report.
Operating a fleet of 434 aircraft, consisting of Airbus and Boeing commercial jets and ATR turboprops, IndiGo’s cabin crew strength surpassed the 10,000 mark in FY25 to end at little over 10,212, as per details shared by the company in the report.IndiGo has placed orders for more than 920 aircraft including Airbus XLRs and A350 for long haul routes. While the XLRs are expected to arrive in FY26, the A350s will be inducted in 2027.
IndiGo recorded a profit after tax of Rs 7,258 crore for FY25, marking its second consecutive year in the black. Air India recorded a net loss of Rs 10,859 crore while Akasa Air’s net loss for FY25 is expected to be higher than the Rs1,670 crore net loss recorded in FY24. SpiceJet, the smallest of the top four of India’s carriers, returned to profits after seven consecutive years of losses. It posted a profit of Rs 48 crore during FY25.
