DELHI— IndiGo Airlines (6E), India’s largest LCC, has strengthened its cockpit workforce by recruiting over 1,000 pilots over the past two years. This expansion aligns with its rapid fleet growth and ensures continuity amid an industry-wide pilot shortage.
By the end of FY25, IndiGo’s total pilot count reached 5,456, surpassing the combined strength of Air India (AI) and Air India Express (IX) at 5,449. Operating out of Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), IndiGo continues to outpace its competitors in capacity and hiring, FE reported.
Photo: IndiGo AirlinesIndiGo Added 1,000 Pilots
IndiGo’s rapid hiring spree supports its fleet expansion, which now includes 434 aircraft. Over FY24 and FY25, the airline added more than 1,000 new pilots to maintain operational reliability amid growing passenger demand and aircraft induction.
This move contrasts with industry-wide disruptions such as those experienced by Akasa Air (QP), which faced pilot resignations and flight cancellations in December 2024.
The aggressive hiring not only addresses internal growth but also mitigates potential fallout from the broader talent crunch impacting Indian aviation.
With a current headcount of 5,456 pilots, IndiGo leads the sector in cockpit staffing, reflecting its dominant domestic and international presence.
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Photo: IndiGo AirlinesSoaring Passenger Demand Drives Staffing Needs
India’s air passenger traffic has surged post-pandemic. In FY25, domestic air travel reached 165 million, a 17% increase over pre-COVID FY20 levels (141 million). International travel also saw a 49% jump to 34 million from 23 million in FY20.
To meet this demand, airlines across India have been actively hiring not only pilots but also cabin crew and engineers. IndiGo’s cabin crew strength crossed 10,212 by FY25.
The airline has also committed to long-term expansion, with over 920 aircraft on order, including Airbus A321XLRs (due FY26) and A350s (due 2027) for long-haul operations.
IndiGo is also leading efforts in gender diversity. With 16% of its pilots being women—three times the global average—the airline is on track to achieve a milestone of 1,000 female pilots by 2025.
On India’s 77th Independence Day, IndiGo celebrated by onboarding 77 female pilots, underlining its commitment to inclusivity in aviation.
Photo: Pieter ElbersMarket Performance and Competitive Landscape
Despite a tight labor market, IndiGo posted a profit after tax of ₹7,258 crore for FY25, marking its second straight profitable year.
In contrast, Air India (AI) reported a ₹10,859 crore loss, and Akasa Air (QP) expects a deeper loss than its FY24 figure of ₹1,670 crore. SpiceJet (SG) returned to profitability with ₹48 crore in FY25 after seven years of losses.
While CPL (Commercial Pilot License) issuance declined 17% in 2024 to 1,342 (from 1,622 in 2023), government data indicates no current shortage of trained pilots. However, the projected demand is substantial: India will require 21,500 pilots by 2034.
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