India needs 20,000 pilots as aviation sector expands: Civil Aviation Minister
New Delhi: Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu stated on Thursday that India will require at least 20,000 pilots in the coming years to meet the increasing demand for air travel, media reports said.
Speaking at UDAAN Bhawan in Delhi during the launch of the Electronic Personnel License (EPL) for pilots, he highlighted the rapid expansion of India's aviation sector and its role in connectivity, economic growth, and technological advancements, The Economic Times reported.
Naidu revealed that 50 new airports are expected in the next five years, adding to the 157 operational airports, a figure that has doubled over the past decade.
"We are looking at a number which is very ambitious... if you look at the airline sector, we have orders of up to 1,700 planes that are about to come into the Indian fleet. And with so much growth that we are going to see in the coming days, there is going to be a need for at least 20,000 pilots in the near future," Naidu was quoted as saying by ET.
The Minister also emphasised the role of technology, stating, "With the launch of EPL, we are ensuring that the pilots can now access their licenses with greater ease and efficiency. This initiative also aligns with the government of India's mission of Digital India, reinforcing our dedication on leveraging technology for the benefit of the citizens and the industry at large."
With this move, India has become the second country in the world to introduce EPL for pilots, following China.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) underscored that the EPL initiative aligns with India's Ease of Doing Business and Digital India goals while reinforcing the country’s leadership in aviation innovation, the report said.
The system integrates with the roadmap of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for modern aviation governance, marking India's readiness to embrace the future.
According to Naidu, pilots can now securely access their licenses via the eGCA app, with real-time verification available for global agencies.
In a post on social media platform X, he described it as a "game-changer for Indian aviation", enhancing safety, interoperability, and aligning India with global best practices.
The event was attended by Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam and DGCA Director-General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai.
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