Have a pilot licence in a desk job? Air India will give wings to your dreams - Hindustan Times
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Have a pilot licence in a desk job? Air India will give wings to your dreams

By, New Delhi
Jun 14, 2016 11:54 AM IST

The national carrier will offer a rare opportunity to employees holding a commercial pilot licence (CPL), but currently working as cabin crew, or doing odd-office jobs.

Air India (AI) is taking a leaf out of AirAsia’s book.

AirAsia, the Malaysia-based budget airline, and its chief Tony Fernandes are known to help and groom employees — loaders, baggage handlers, cabin crew — to become pilots.(Illustration: Abhimanyu Sinha)
AirAsia, the Malaysia-based budget airline, and its chief Tony Fernandes are known to help and groom employees — loaders, baggage handlers, cabin crew — to become pilots.(Illustration: Abhimanyu Sinha)

The national carrier will offer a rare opportunity to employees holding a commercial pilot licence (CPL), but currently working as cabin crew, or doing odd-office jobs.

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AirAsia, the Malaysia-based budget airline, and its chief Tony Fernandes are known to help and groom employees — loaders, baggage handlers, cabin crew — to become pilots.

The idea, a brainchild of Air India chairman and managing director Ashwani Lohani, will provide dozens of airline employees, all CPL holders, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make the cockpit their working desk.

“We want to provide an opportunity to our in-house candidates to realise their dream of becoming a pilot.

They will, however, have to clear all tests, which begin July 2, like normal candidates,” an airline official said.

There are currently an estimated 10,000 unemployed CPL holders in the country. Kingfisher’s grounding and financial problems faced by some other domestic carriers have resulted in limited openings for young CPL holders. Many trained pilots were forced to take up odd jobs.

“This is an excellent idea. A number of young CPL holders suffered following the freeze on hiring, after a slowdown hit the aviation industry in 2008. The situation has, however, changed to some extent with the entry of new players and expansion of existing ones,” aviation expert Rajji Rai said.

While a Captain earns around Rs 5 lakh a month, co-pilots get around Rs 2 lakh. However, becoming a commercial airlines pilot is a costly affair. After schooling, a candidate has to undergo a structured training for obtaining a CPL. Pilot training academies charge between Rs 20 to 25 lakh for a one-and-a-half-year course.

That is not all.

As airlines prefer type-rated first officers, one has to obtain another training to fly a particular type of aeroplane, which means coughing up another Rs 25 lakh.

Indian carriers currently employ around 6,000 pilots and co-pilots, which include high-costing expatriate commanders.

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    Tushar was part of Hindustan Times’ nationwide network of correspondents that brings news, analysis and information to its readers. He no longer works with the Hindustan Times.

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