IndiGo has resumed hiring and has entered into a partnership with Chimes Aviation Academy for a Cadet Pilot Programme. Under the initiative, 15 cadets will be trained over about two and a half years, and later absorbed by IndiGo as pilots.
Over the last eight years, IndiGo has successfully trained and absorbed almost 300 pilots via such partnership training programmes. These training programmes are complete in all respects, starting with selection of cadets to readying them to fly.
The Airports Authority of India has already invited bids for establishing flying training schools at six airports across India. This is to resolve the issue of pilots having to go abroad for training. There is always a demand for trained pilots in the country, which can be met by such training programmes.
IndiGo presently has about 265 aircraft and almost 4,000 pilots. The training programme will cost Rs 85 lakh per candidate. Though expensive, the programme is expected to have many takers as about 700 people get their commercial pilot license every year in the country. Of these more than 50 per cent receive training outside the country. With training programmes like IndiGo’s, pilots can be trained within the country and start getting their type ratings.
This move by Indigo also signals better times for the country’s aviation sector, which has been struggling for some time now. The pandemic only made matters worse, with many airlines having to downsize.
