DGCA Sets Record Of Decade-High Number Of Commercial Pilot Licenses issued

In a significant stride forward, the aviation regulator DGCA has achieved an unprecedented milestone by issuing a decade-high 1,622 commercial pilot licenses (CPLs) in the year 2023.

Among these, 18.12 per cent are women pilots with a remarkable upswing of 22.5 per cent as compared to the year 2022, according to the data.

India is considered to be one of the leading nations with women pilot licenses and the significant percentage increase upholds the Government of India’s vision of women empowerment in civil aviation sector.

It is estimated that 14 per cent of the workforce employed with scheduled airlines consists of women pilots. The record issue of total CPLs for 2023 has surpassed the previous milestone of 1165 licenses issued in the year 2022, witnessing a 39.22 per cent increase.

This also comes at a time when the country's civil aviation sector is recovering at a fast pace post the coronavirus pandemic, and several major operators like Air India and Indigo have announced placing of huge orders of new aircraft for commercial aircraft operations.

The surge in license issuances reflects the relentless efforts and rigorous standards upheld by the regulator to ensure safety, compliance, and increased operational demands of the aviation sector.

Additionally, to cater to the long time demand of small business and helicopter operators, the regulator has granted approval for a new helicopter flying training organisation to enable aspirants to undertake training and acquire commercial licenses for helicopters.

With this, it is expected that the helicopter industry largely engaged in regional connectivity services (RCS), pilgrimage, air-ambulance etc., will shore up in terms of crew strength by receiving an additional pool other than ex-military pilots.