**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation to Unstarred Question No. 32 in Lok Sabha, concerning the pilot-aircraft ratio in domestic airlines, to be answered on January 29, 2026. It addresses the adequacy of the current ratio, pilot strength, relevant guidelines, and initiatives to address pilot shortages.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Pilot-Aircraft Ratio Assessment:**
* Airlines assess the pilot-aircraft ratio, considering fleet expansion and operational requirements.
* Periodic reviews are conducted to ensure compliance and smooth air service functioning without compromising safety or pilot well-being.
* The current pilot-aircraft ratio in domestic airlines in India is deemed adequate.
* **Pilot Strength Standards and Guidelines:**
* The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section 3, Series 'C', Part II.
* This CAR stipulates a minimum of three sets of flight crew and cabin crew per aircraft.
* **Pilot Training Capacity Initiatives:**
* The Ministry is committed to providing an environment that enables the augmentation of training capacity.
* DGCA prescribes regulatory standards, approves training organizations, and oversees training activities.
* DGCA revised CAR Section 7, Series I, Part-V (Issue-II, Rev 08 Dt. 3rd January 2025) to ensure adequate pilot training, addressing instructor availability, training standards, and examination processes.
**Impact Analysis**
**Domestic Airlines**
* **Impact**: Airlines must continue to assess pilot-aircraft ratios and ensure operational stability with an adequate number of pilots.
* **Action Required**: Undertake periodic reviews to ensure compliance with the norms.
**Pilots**
* **Impact**: Pilots are indirectly affected as airlines and the DGCA ensure their work-life balance and adequate staffing levels.
* **Action Required**: No direct action required.
**Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)**
* **Impact**: Ensures operational stability by setting regulatory standards and overseeing pilot training activities.
* **Action Required**: Enforce the existing guidelines on airlines and training organizations.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): The regulator that issued Civil Aviation Requirements to stipulate number of flight crew and cabin crew.
Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section 3, Series 'C', Part II: Requirements that stipulates the number of flight crew and cabin crew, being not less than three sets of crew per aircraft.
Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section 7, Series I, Part-V (Issue-II, Rev 08: Requirements covering the aspects of instructor availability, training standards and examination processes.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The ministry responsible for augmentation of training capacity in the country.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 32
th
(To be answered on the 29 January 2026)
PILOT-AIRCRAFT RATIO IN DOMESTIC AIRLINES
32. SHRI K E PRAKASH
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has assessed the current pilot-aircraft ratio in
domestic airlines in view of rapid fleet expansion and increased flight operations and
if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the existing pilot strength is adequate to ensure smooth functioning of
air services without compromising flight safety, crew rest requirements and work-
life balance of pilots and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether any norms or
guidelines have been prescribed or are proposed to be revised regarding minimum
pilot strength per aircraft and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government is planning any new initiatives to address pilot shortages
including expansion of training capacity and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
a) to c) To ensure operational stability, all airlines assess the pilot-aircraft ratio while
keeping into account the fleet expansion and dynamic operational requirements.
Periodic reviews are undertaken by respective airlines to ensure continued
compliance and smooth functioning of air services without compromising flight
safety, crew rest requirements and work-life balance of pilots. Currently, the pilot-
aircraft ratio in Domestic Airlines in India is found to be adequate.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued the Civil Aviation
Requirements (CAR) Section 3, Series 'C', Part II, which stipulates number of flight
crew and cabin crew, being not less than three sets of crew per aircraft.d) Ministry is committed towards providing an enabling environment for
augmentation of Training Capacity in the country. DGCA prescribes regulatory
standards, approves training organization, and oversees training activities in
accordance with applicable Civil Aviation Requirements.
For ensuring adequate pilot training capacity, DGCA has revised Civil Aviation
Requirements (CAR) Section 7, Series I, Part-V (Issue-II, Rev 08 Dt. 3rd January
2025, covering the aspects of instructor availability, training standards and
examination processes
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