India’s civil aviation sector marked a significant milestone in 2024, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issuing a record 1,628 Commercial Pilot Licences (CPLs), the highest number ever granted in a single year. The achievement reflects the rapid expansion of the aviation industry and growing demand for trained pilots across domestic and international operations.

In a statement, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said that the record issuance of pilot licences underscores the strengthening of India’s aviation training ecosystem and the sector’s steady recovery and growth following the pandemic. The ministry noted that the DGCA’s streamlined certification processes and enhanced oversight of flying training organisations have contributed to the sharp rise in the number of qualified pilots.

The issuance of 1,628 CPLs in 2024 represents an all-time high in the history of Indian civil aviation, surpassing previous annual records. Officials said the increase is aligned with the expansion of airline fleets, the launch of new routes under regional connectivity initiatives, and India’s emergence as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally.

The government has been focusing on capacity building in pilot training through regulatory reforms, infrastructure upgrades at flying schools, and encouragement of domestic training facilities to reduce dependence on overseas training. Measures have also been taken to ensure high safety and competency standards while accelerating the licensing process.

According to the ministry, the rising number of licensed commercial pilots will help address manpower requirements of Indian airlines, which are placing large aircraft orders to meet growing passenger demand. The milestone also highlights India’s potential to become a global hub for aviation training and skilled manpower.

The record issuance of commercial pilot licences in 2024 reflects the government’s broader efforts to strengthen the civil aviation sector, enhance self-reliance in skilled workforce development, and support sustained growth in air connectivity and airline operations across the country.

News source: Hindustan Times