(a) the details of the steps taken by the Government to increase the number of women pilots in the country;
(b) whether the Government provides any incentives to encourage women to take up pilot training in the county; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
Minister of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia)
A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NUMBER 68 FOR 21st JULY 2022; (a) to (c): Globally, according to the International Society of Women Airline Pilots, around 5% of pilots are women. In India, the share of women pilots is significantly higher - at around 15%. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and its associated organisations have taken steps to increase the number of pilots in the country, both women and men. These include issuing award letters by Airports Authority of India for nine new Flying Training Organisations (FTO) slots at five airports namely; Belagavi, Jalgaon, Kalaburagi, Khajuraho and Lilabari in the first phase and six more FTO slots at five airports in the second phase namely; Bhavnagar, Hubballi, Kadapa, Kishangarh and Salem. These measures are likely to enhance the flying hours at FTOs and the number of Commercial Pilot Licenses issued per annum. ;; In addition, the Women in Aviation International (WAI) - India Chapter conducts many awareness programmes across the country in collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, industry and leading women aviation professionals, with special focus on young schoolgirls, especially from low income families. ;;