It is Time to Focus on Human Capital for the Indian Aviation Industry

 There has been a rapid growth of the Indian aviation industry, with passenger traffic consolidating to pre-pandemic levels and forecasts indicating it will go beyond 500 million passengers by the end of this decade. Airlines such as IndiGo and Air India are ordering more than 1,700 aircraft, fueling demand for 25,000-30,000 additional pilots alone. The opening of new airports and the launch of regional connectivity schemes place significant strain on the aviation industry's workforce capacity.

Ground staff, security personnel, and operations coordinators are required in large numbers due to ongoing airport infrastructure upgrades. The MRO and cargo segments have also boosted and require licensed maintenance engineers and technicians. But the pace of talent acquisition in the aviation sector is much slower than the pace of fleet induction. This results in operational disruptions and flight delays.

There is an acute shortage across roles in India, and the sector will require 1.5-2 lakh professionals by 2035, including pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and air traffic controllers. The demand for pilots will reach 22,400 by the end of this decade, resulting in a deficit of 10,900 relative to the current 12,000. Hiring for pilots increased to 21% in 2026, up from about 11% in 2024, while cabin crew and ground staff staffing jumped by about 30%. It is a fact that cabin crew train faster, pilots and AMEs have longer training times. Foreign airlines are always on the lookout to poach talent and domestic carriers often have to deal with long training cycles. Apart from that, MROs also face structural gaps as a result of stringent certification requirements and trained professionals often opting for jobs in a foreign nation.

Safety holds a lot of importance in the aviation industry, and human resources come to the fore when it comes to ensuring the same with proper training and knowledge of all the regulations. In aviation, where technology depends on human operation, HR manages risks beyond the routine functions.

There is a need for CPL, type ratings and mental fitness for pilots; each aircraft needs 10-15 hours to maintain schedules. Cabin crew require customer service, safety, and crisis management training. Engineers and MRO technicians should be certified for advanced fleets. This year, an FTO of Air India in Amravati will become operational, marking the first of its kind for an Indian carrier.

Ground staff should be proficient and skilled enough to handle passenger security and cargo with ease. Apart from that, communication and stress management skills also add significant value to their portfolio.

Future aviation roles will depend heavily on data analytics. The Aerospace and Aviation Sector Skill Council, under Skill India, develops standards for 72 roles across airlines, airports and MROs and offers 60-120-day training programs. There is an urgent need to scale the aviation ecosystem's human staffing capacity, given the industry's 1,700 aircraft orders.

Foreign countries have long sought to attract Indian workers. It is observed that foreign carriers in the region are operated with Indians in key roles in planning, execution, and flight operations. While Indian carriers cannot change government tax policy, creating a work environment that matches or exceeds that of competing airlines will be the first step toward reducing attrition before seeking a reversal.

With the Indian aviation industry growing at a breakneck pace, the challenge of retaining talent is as great as hiring and training new candidates for essential roles.

According to market forecasts, demand for pilots in India will nearly double by 2030, underscoring the importance of holistic skilling. Investments in education will help advance safety, competence and GDP contributions. The AI use will support aviation staffing and retention.

With the Indian aviation industry facing a pilot shortage, there is a significant opportunity for aspiring pilots to enter an illustrious career. If you have made up your mind of entering into the aviation sector as a pilot, hen FlapOne Aviation will stand by you throughout your journey.