IndiGo currently has the lowest pilots-to-aircraft ratio among domestic airlines at 7.6 pilots per aircraft, the Civil Aviation Ministry informed Parliament on Thursday.
In comparison, SpiceJet leads with 9.4 pilots per aircraft, followed by Akasa Air at 9.33 pilots per aircraft. Air India and Air India Express have ratios of 9.1 and 8.8 pilots per aircraft, respectively, according to data presented by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol in response to questions in the Lok Sabha.
Regarding foreign pilot employment, Air India Express employs the highest number of expat pilots at 48, while IndiGo has 29 foreign pilots. IndiGo’s total pilot strength is 5,200, including 970 female pilots, whereas Air India has 3,123 pilots with 508 females. Air India Express employs 1,820 pilots (234 females), Akasa Air has 761 pilots (76 females), and SpiceJet has 375 pilots (58 females).
The Ministry’s data highlights the workforce distribution and gender diversity in India’s leading airlines, underscoring industry challenges in pilot allocation and recruitment.
