Industry seeks leniency on multiple pilot licences

According to industry sources, a similar common rating is necessary. Without those, airlines are required to recruit additional pilots and, thereby, adding to manpower costs of such highly paid professionals. Monthly salary of pilots in the country averages between Rs 4 lakh and Rs 4.5 lakh.

Companies like Indian Airlines and Kingfisher Airlines are inducting variants of the A320 family. As per estimates, Airbus has a market share of over 70 per cent in India, which mostly comprises the A320 family of aircraft. The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation estimates that India8217;s aviation industry employs around 2500 pilots and there is an immediate shortage of 450.