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Airlines

Pieter Elbers Resigns As CEO Of IndiGo; Co-Founder Rahul Bhatia Takes Interim Charge

Aviation Today News Desk / March 11, 2026

New Delhi, India: India’s largest airline, IndiGo, announced that Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers has stepped down from his position […]

Delhi, India: India’s civil aviation sector marked a significant milestone in 2024 with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issuing a record number of Commercial Pilot Licenses (CPLs), reflecting rapid expansion in pilot training activity amid growing air travel demand. According to an official statement released by the Civil Aviation Ministry, the DGCA issued 1,628 commercial pilot licenses in 2024, the highest number recorded in any year in the history of Indian civil aviation. The figure represents an increase of more than 2.5 times compared with eight years earlier, underscoring the sector’s growth trajectory. The ministry’s release provided a multi-year breakdown of CPL issuances, showing the progression of licenses granted over recent years. In 2018, the DGCA issued 640 CPLs, followed by 744 in 2019 and a dip to 578 in 2020. Numbers rebounded to 862 in 2021 and climbed further to 1,165 in 2022 and 1,622 in 2023 before reaching the current high. The surge in pilot licensing occurs against the backdrop of India’s expanding aviation market, where fleet growth and rising passenger demand have placed increasing emphasis on pilot recruitment pipelines. Analysts and industry officials have highlighted that airlines will require tens of thousands of additional pilots over the next decade to support fleet expansion and maintain operational schedules. Beyond licensing, the Civil Aviation Ministry said in its release that it maintained active oversight of airline fare levels throughout 2024, leveraging real-time data and coordination with carriers and online travel agencies. During IndiGo operational disruption in December, the ministry invoked regulatory powers to enforce fare caps and guard passengers against opportunistic pricing. Civil aviation stakeholders said the record issuance of CPLs reflects both increased capacity at flying training organisations and more streamlined processes via the DGCA’s digital licensing platform. However, industry leaders continue to stress the need for enhanced infrastructure, cost-efficient training pathways and strategic policy support to fully leverage the growing pool of qualified pilots.

Pilots

DGCA Records India’s Highest-Ever CPL Issuance With 1,628 Licenses Issued In 2024

Aviation Today News Desk / January 23, 2026

Delhi, India: India’s civil aviation sector marked a significant milestone in 2024 with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

New Delhi, India: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to two proposed airline operators Al Hind Air & FlyExpress in a strategic move aimed at expanding competition in India’s domestic aviation market following recent operational turmoil involving market‑leader IndiGo. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said in a social media post that the ministry has met with representatives from three emerging carriers Shankh Air, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress over the past week as part of efforts to encourage new entrants to the sector. While Shankh Air had already received its regulatory clearance earlier, both Al Hind Air and FlyExpress secured their NOCs this week. Al Hind Air is backed by Kerala’s Alhind Group, and FlyExpress is a Hyderabad‑based enterprise traditionally focused on courier and cargo operations. Shankh Air’s proposed business plan includes connecting major cities within Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow, Varanasi, Agra and Gorakhpur, with affordable air connectivity options. The government’s approvals come amid heightened scrutiny of India’s aviation market structure. Earlier this month, IndiGo’s failure to fully adapt to new crew rostering regulations triggered the cancellation of thousands of flights, stranding thousands of passengers. Industry analysts and officials have called for greater competition to prevent future systemic shocks. The Civil Aviation Ministry has highlighted existing schemes such as UDAN as instrumental in enabling smaller regional players including Star Air, India One Air and Fly91 to expand connectivity, while stressing there is substantial scope for further growth in what is one of the world’s fastest‑growing aviation markets. In the aftermath of IndiGo’s operational disruption, regulators have initiated multiple reviews. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has taken cognisance of complaints alleging antitrust violations by the airline, which holds a dominant market share. The initial assessment could lead to a detailed investigation if evidence of market abuse is found. IndiGo’s operations, which stabilised in mid‑December with restoration to roughly 2,200 daily flights, are also under regulatory examination. Authorities have imposed temporary fare caps and ordered expedited refunds for affected passengers.   While the approvals for Al Hind Air and FlyExpress signal a policy pivot towards diversification, aviation experts caution that long‑term viability for new carriers hinges on tackling structural challenges such as high operating costs, fuel taxation, and aircraft acquisition bottlenecks. The government’s move to issue NOCs to new airlines reflects a broader strategy to build resilience in India’s air transport sector by reducing over‑dependence on a small number of carriers and enhancing choices for millions of domestic flyers.

Airlines

India Grants NOCs To Al Hind Air And FlyExpress To Boost Airline Competition

Aviation Today News Desk / December 24, 2025

New Delhi, India: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to two proposed airline operators Al

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