Question : FOREIGN PILOTS

(a) whether there is huge shortage of experienced pilots in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the domestic airlines have requested the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to extend the contracts of foreign pilots and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the various aviation companies have employed a large number of foreign pilots in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof, aviation company-wise;

(e) the details of the amounts of incentive given to them in comparison to the Indian pilots;and

(f) the steps being taken by the Government to impart training to adequate number of pilots and appoint Indian pilots in the country?

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI K. C. VENUGOPAL )

(a) Yes, Madam. There is shortage of type rated Commanders (Type rated Pilots or Pilot-in-Command) in the country due to growth in aviation industry and induction of new aircrafts into the fleet of the airlines. However, sufficient number of co-pilots are available and employed with the airlines.

(b) Yes Madam. Scheduled Airlines like M/s Air India, M/s Jet Airways , M/s Indigo Airlines, M/s Spice Jet have requested for extension of employment of foreign pilots . Government has allowed issue of Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorisation (FATA) up to 31st December, 2016.

(c)& (d) Yes, Madam. The details of the foreign pilots employed by various companies as on 30.06.2013 are annexed. The number of foreign pilots is on the decrease in the recent years as more and more co-pilots are upgraded to commanders . Total number of Foreign Pilots employed by various aviation companies has come down from 340 last year to 262 at present.

(e) No such information is being maintained in the Ministry. .

(f) Indian co pilots who are inducted by Airlines and are eligible to become Pilot in Command as per the policy of Airlines are trained by them to phase out foreign pilots. As a follow up, the cases of Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorization (FATA) pilots are processed on the basis of information furnished by each Airline with phase out programme of foreign pilots.