Govt has taken steps to increase number of pilots in country: Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that the government has taken steps to increase the number of pilots in the country, both women and men. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Mr Scindia said, according to the International Socieity of Women Airline Pilots, globally around five per cent pilots are women. In India, the share of women pilots is significantly higher at around 15 per cent. He said, in order to increase the number of pilots, Airports Authority of India have issued award letters to nine new Flying Training Organisation, FTO, slots at five airports in the first phase. These airports are Belagavi, Jalgaon, Kalaburagi, Khajuraho and Lilabari. In the second phase, six more FTO slots at five airports namely Bhavnagar, Hubballi, Kadapa, Kishangarh and Salem will be issued.

Mr Scindia said, these measures are likely to enhance the flying hours at FTOs and the number of Commercial Pilot Licenses issued per annum. In addition, the Women in Aviation International, WAI – India Chapter conducts many awareness programmes across the country in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Ministry, Industry and leading women aviation professionals with special focus on young school girls, especially from low income families.