Lok Sabha Question No. 6219 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-02
Subject: Shortage of Manpower in Civil Aviation Sector
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Tanuj Punia, Dr. Kirsan Namdeo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 6219

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  2nd April 2026 )

## SHORTAGE OF MANPOWER IN CIVIL AVIATION SECTOR

## 6219.    SHRI TANUJ PUNIA DR. KIRSAN NAMDEO Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the number of vacancies reported by scheduled airlines since 2023, year-wise;

(b) whether any shortage assessment has been conducted in this regard and if so, the details thereof, year-wise;

- (c)  the  number  of  aircraft  grounded  due  to  technical  defects  or  maintenance  delays  since 2023, year-wise;

(d) the number of safety violation notices issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) relating to Flight Duty Time Limitation norms since 2023, year-wise;

(e)  the  number  of  airports  operating  above  declared  capacity  along  with  the  number  of operational airports with passenger utilisation below twenty-five per cent of capacity, Statewise;

(f) whether the Government has assessed the impact of high taxes on Aviation Turbine Fuel and limited domestic Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capacity on airline costs and if so, the details thereof; and

(g) whether any review has been conducted on market concentration and systemic risk due to high market share of two airlines and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## Minister  of  State  in  the  Ministry  of  CIVIL  AVIATION            (Shri  Murlidhar Mohol)

(a)  &  (b):  There  is  no  overall  shortage  of  pilots  or  crew  in  the  Indian  aviation  sector. However, there is a shortage of experienced commanders on certain aircraft types, which is being managed by employing foreign pilots under Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorization (FATA).

(c): Aircraft grounded due to technical defects or maintenance delays were reported as 356 in 2023, 414 in 2024, 567 in 2025, and 99 in 2026 (as on 25.03.2026).

(d): M/s Air India was warned on 11 Aug 2025 for exceeding the stipulated Flying Time (FT) on Bangalore-London sectors of AI 171/AI 172 (May 2025).

- (e): Passenger traffic at airports vary depending on several factors such as seasonal demand, festivals,  holidays,  and  airline  schedules.  During  peak  travel  periods,  higher  passenger footfall  may  be  observed  at  some  airports  which  could  lead  to  temporary  congestion. However,  airport  operators  continuously  monitor  passenger  traffic  and  take  necessary operational measures to ensure smooth passenger facilitation and efficient airport operations.;

(f): Airfares and airline costs are influenced by factors such as ATF prices and VAT levied by States/UTs,  with  ATF  being  a  major  cost  component.  While  prices  are  market-linked,  the Government has taken steps to mitigate cost pressures by promoting domestic MRO through tax rationalisation, procedural simplification and infrastructure development, thereby reducing dependence on foreign MROs and lowering maintenance costs.

(g):  The  Government  constantly  endeavors  to  ensure  a  balanced  and  competitive  aviation ecosystem  through  measures  such  as  rationalisation  of  traffic  rights,  expansion  of  airport infrastructure,  facilitation  of  fleet  induction  and  promotion  of  regional  connectivity  under UDAN encourage competition and capacity diversification. DGCA also monitors operational preparedness to ensure system resilience.

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