Pilot Shortage

While the company has pledged a full recovery by Dec 10, the debacle threatens IndiGo's position in the industry and its ambitious expansion plans

From low workers' wages to suspect GDP to scary rankings for pilot training schools to self-serving protectionism, today's pieces paint a sobering picture of what ails India economy and policy

Japan currently has about 7,100 pilots and the government projects another 1,000 will be needed by 2030 to help meet its target of attracting some 60 million tourists that same year.

Air India's initiative marks a departure from the traditional approach of Indian airlines, which have typically partnered with independent flight schools both domestically and internationally

Indian carriers expected to add 82 planes in FY25

After facing significant flight disruptions due to the non-availability of crew, Vistara chief Vinod Kannan said the airline will look to review the current rostering system after discussions with pilots and emphasised that there has been no unusual spike in attrition. The Tata Group airline, which is in the process of getting merged with Air India, has temporarily reduced flight operations to ensure the availability of adequate pilot buffer and expects the situation to normalise by May. A stretched roster on account of the high utilisation of pilots is the key reason for the recent disruptions, according to the airline while there are also concerns among a section of pilots about the new contract that will also result in pay revision. In an interview with PTI on Friday, Kannan said that during a town hall with pilots, some concerns were raised around rostering, and pilots were told that the airline would look at how the rostering process can be reviewed. Out of the airline's total

Since Monday, Vistara has been compelled to cancel over 150 flights, allegedly due to a specific group of pilots taking sudden sick leave at the end of March

Who is to blame for India's pilot shortage? Is junk food the new cigarette? Are consumption stocks a good bet ahead of festive season? What is govt's borrowing programme and calendar? All answers here

With Indian aviation staring at a potential scramble for pilots, airlines such as Akasa can feel deflated

Can high leverage spell trouble for Vedanta? Does India have enough pilots for its expanding fleet? Will strong order book give road-infra cos a fillip? What is index rebalancing? All answers here

Pilot appointment, however, cannot be equated with pilot availability.

GoAir will face action for not providing rest to its pilots in line with rules, said a senior Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) official.

Airlines have been forced to cancel their flights and rework their schedules, constraining cash flows and delaying vendor payments