Question : Shortage of Pilots

(a) the total number of foreign pilots in Indian aviation industry at present including those working with Air India;

(b) whether there is a shortage of Indian pilots/type rated commanders in the aviation sector of the country especially in Air India;

(c) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor and the steps taken by the Government to address the shortage of pilots;

(d) whether various airlines are giving extension to expat pilots and if so, the steps taken by the Government to send back these expat pilots and employ Indian pilots; and

(e) the number of co-pilots upgraded to commanders by various airlines during the last three years and the current year.

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Dr Mahesh Sharma)

(a) The detail of foreign pilots employed by various operators as on 30th June, 2015 is at Annexure ''A''

(b) to (d) Yes Sir. 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. However, sufficient numbers of Indian co-pilots are available and employed with the airlines. These co-pilots do not possess sufficient training and experience as required to become commander on that type. As regarding Air India, they have sufficient number of commanders available for the present schedule.

To cover the shortage of type rated pilots, validation of foreign pilots is done as per Rule 45 of Aircraft Rules, 1937. Indian pilots which are inducted by airlines and are eligible to become Pilot In Command (PIC) as per the policy of airlines are being trained by them to phase out expat pilots. As a follow up, cases of Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorization
(FATA) pilots are processed on the basis of information furnished by each airline and only after security clearance from MHA. The strength of Foreign pilots has decreased in the subsequent years as more and more Indian co-pilots are upgraded to commanders.

The Government has restricted issue of Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorization (FATA) up to 31 December 2016 on case to case basis.

(e) The details of number of co-pilots upgraded to commanders of scheduled airlines during the last three years and the current year is at Annexure ''B''.