Sky opens up but pilots go off radar

Mumbai: As the country witnesses an unprecedented boom in civil aviation sector, scarcity of pilots has become a big challenge not just for fledgling airlines but for established players as well. Most of them are devising new strategies to recruit pilots and are tapping all possible sources to ensure their availability.
At present, India is facing a shortage of 3,500 pilots with the domestic airlines set to add 300-plus aircraft in next three to five years.
Low-fare carrier Air Deccan is eyeing jobless pilots in US and Europe.
National flag carrier Air-India is planning to recruit engineering and science graduates from college campuses to train them as pilots.
"Jet Airways would require 1,000 pilots in next two years and we are looking at expatriates to bridge the gap," said a senior Jet executive.
Indian (formerly Indian Airlines) has also started a vigorous recruitment drive while airlines like Paramount Airways, SpiceJet, GoAir and other start-up airlines are scouting for foreign pilots.
24/05/06 P R Sanjai/Rediff

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