Lok Sabha Question No. 664 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-25
Subject: Shortage of Trained Pilots in North Eastern Region
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 664

(To be answered on the 25 th  July 2024)

## SHORTAGE OF TRAINED PILOTS IN NORTH EASTERN REGION

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## 664. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the shortage of trained pilots in North Eastern Region (NER) and if so, the details thereof during the last five years; (b) the number of trained pilots currently available against the required number to meet the aviation needs including annual shortfall data of the NER;
- (c) the manner in which this shortage is impacting the operation of regional aircraft, citing specific instances of affected routes or services;
- (d) the steps being taken to address the said issue including the number of new pilot training programs initiated and the number of pilots trained annually in the NER during the last five years; and
- (e) whether there is any collaboration with aviation training institutes and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

## (a) to (c) The number of Commercial Pilot Licenses (CPLs) issued during last five years is as mentioned below-

| Year                   |   Issued CPLs |
|------------------------|---------------|
| 2019 2020              |           744 |
|                        |           578 |
| 2021                   |           862 |
| 2022                   |          1165 |
| 2023                   |          1622 |
| 2024 (till 17.07.2024) |           739 |
| Total                  |          5710 |

Region wise data is not maintained for pilots.

(d) and (e)  The steps being taken to augment the supply of trained pilots in the country are as follows:(i) The Airports Authority of India (AAI) brought out a liberalised Flying Training Organisation (FTO) policy whereby the concept of airport royalty (revenue share payment by FTOs to AAI) has been abolished and land rentals have been significantly rationalised. (ii) In 2021, after a competitive bidding process, AAI awarded nine FTO slots at five airports at Belagavi (Karnataka), Jalgaon (Maharashtra), Kalaburagi (Karnataka), Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh) and Lilabari (Assam). In June 2022, under second round of bidding, six FTO slots were awarded by AAI at five airports namely: two slots at Bhavnagar (Gujarat), and one each at Hubballi (Karnataka), Kadappa (Andhra Pradesh), Kishangarh (Rajasthan) and Salem (Tamil Nadu). (iii) DGCA has introduced Online-On Demand Examination (OLODE) for the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME) and Flying Crew (FC) candidates with effect from November 2021. This facility allows candidates to choose the date and time from the available exam slots. (iv) DGCA has modified its regulations to empower Flying Instructors with the right to authorize flight operations at FTOs. This was hitherto restricted to the Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) or Deputy CFIs only. DGCA approves FTOs as per laid down Rules and Regulations and reviews them as per international practices from time to time to further improve the standards of FTOs and to facilitate opening up of more number of FTOS. On the basis of these regulations, the interested organization / individual applies to DGCA for setting up of new FTO. Currently, there are 37 Flying Training Organizations (FTOs) in the country operating at 57 bases which are imparting flying training to cadets.

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