The future of Airline Pilots depends on the future of the Aviation Industry itself. So, I tried to gather the information that could give an overview of what the future of Aviation Industry looks like from a current perspective. I’ll also tell you about some of the trends and challenges that are shaping the sector, and how you can be a part of it. But first, let me give you some background information on the current situation of Civil Aviation career in India.
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, India is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world, with a projected annual growth rate of 10% till 2025. The demand for pilots, cabin crew, ground staff, engineers, and other aviation professionals is expected to rise as more airlines expand their operations and fleet size.
The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for Civil Aviation in India stands at 10%, while for Indian Railways it is 5%. This implies that the growth rate for Civil Aviation in India is twice that of Indian Railways. With the pandemic now behind us, India is witnessing a remarkable recovery in air travel, which is projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels by 2023.
Prior to the pandemic, India recorded approximately 140 million domestic travelers and 60 million international travelers, resulting in a total of about 200 million travelers by air. According to experts, this number is expected to reach at least 400 million by 2027.
So, if you’re thinking of pursuing a career in aviation in India, you need to be aware of both the opportunities and the risks involved in this sector. You also need to be prepared to work hard, learn new skills, and adapt to changing situations.
Industry leading Airlines bet on the future of aviation in India
Lets start with what the Major Airlines in India have to say about the industry. Major airlines have a great insight into the future of the industry in the country of operations. So the behaviour of these airlines can give us a major insight into the expected growth in the industry. Here are some of the examples that clearing indicate the major expected growth in Indian Aviation
- Air India has ordered 500 planes from Boeing and Airbus, which will increase its fleet size and network. The order includes 200 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 100 Boeing 777s, 100 Airbus A320neos, and 100 Airbus A321XLRs. The delivery of these planes is expected to start from 2023 and continue till 2030.
- IndiGo, the largest airline in India, has also placed a massive order for 500 Airbus A320neo family aircraft, which will make it one of the largest customers of Airbus in the world. The order includes a mix of A320neos, A321neos, and A321XLRs. The delivery of these planes is expected to start from 2024 and continue till 2030.
- SpiceJet, another leading low-cost carrier in India, has ordered 205 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, which will enhance its efficiency and capacity. The order includes 155 firm orders and 50 purchase rights. The delivery of these planes is expected to resume from 2022 and continue till 2027.
- Vistara, a full-service carrier and a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, has ordered 50 Airbus A320neo family aircraft and six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, which will expand its domestic and international operations. The order includes 13 firm orders and 37 purchase rights. The delivery of these planes is expected to start from 2023 and continue till 2030.
These examples show that Indian airlines are investing heavily in modernising and expanding their fleets to cater to the growing demand for air travel in India. They also indicate that Indian airlines are aiming to increase their market share and competitiveness in the global aviation industry.
A point to note is that each of these planes will create on average at least 10 pilot job vacancies depending on the airlines operations. The math can show where the job vacancy trends are about to head.
International travel and cargo
One of the key drivers of growth for the aviation industry in India is the increasing demand for international travel and cargo. According to IATA, India is expected to overtake China and the United States as the world’s third-largest air passenger market by 2030. The number of international passengers travelling to and from India is expected to grow from 70 million in 2019 to 220 million by 2030.
Similarly, the demand for air cargo is also expected to grow significantly in the coming years. According to Invest India, India’s air cargo traffic is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12% till 2025. The growth drivers for air cargo include e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, perishables, express delivery services, and special economic zones.
To cater to this growing demand for international travel and cargo, Indian airlines are adding more routes and destinations to their network. For instance, IndiGo has announced plans to launch flights to London, Moscow, Istanbul, Riyadh, Doha, and Dhaka in 2022-23. Air India has also resumed flights to Toronto, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Singapore after a gap due to COVID-19.
Moreover, Indian airports are also expanding their capacity and infrastructure to handle more international traffic. For instance, Delhi airport has inaugurated its fourth runway in September 2021, making it one of the few airports in Asia with four operational runways. Mumbai airport has also started work on its second runway and terminal building. Hyderabad airport has also announced plans to build a second terminal and runway by 2024.
Government policies and initiatives
Another factor that is contributing to the growth of aviation industry in India is the supportive government policies and initiatives. The government has taken several steps to boost air connectivity and infrastructure development in the country. Some of these steps include:
- The National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016: This policy aims to provide an integrated framework for the development of civil aviation in India. It covers various aspects such as regional connectivity scheme (UDAN), open sky policy, bilateral air service agreements (ASAs), airport development fund (ADF), MRO policy (Maintenance Repair Overhaul), etc.
- The Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN): This scheme aims to provide affordable air connectivity to unserved and underserved regions in India. It offers subsidies and incentives to airlines and airports for operating flights on regional routes. Under this scheme, more than 300 routes have been operationalised so far.
- The Airports Authority of India (AAI): This is a statutory body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation that is responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing civil aviation infrastructure in India. It operates more than 130 airports across the country.
- The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA): This is an independent body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation that regulates tariffs and other charges for aeronautical services at major airports in India. It also monitors the performance standards of airport operators and service providers.
- The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS): This is an agency under the Ministry of Civil Aviation that is responsible for ensuring the security of civil aviation in India. It lays down standards and measures for security of airports, aircraft, passengers, cargo, etc.
- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): This is the regulatory body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation that is responsible for ensuring the safety of civil aviation in India. It issues licenses and certificates to pilots, airlines, airports, MROs, etc. It also enforces civil air regulations and airworthiness standards.
These policies and initiatives have helped to create a conducive environment for the growth of aviation industry in India. They have also attracted investments from both domestic and foreign players in the sector.
Challenges and opportunities
Despite the positive outlook for the aviation industry in India, there are also some challenges and opportunities that need to be addressed. Some of these include:
- Infrastructure constraints: One of the major challenges facing the aviation industry in India is the lack of adequate infrastructure to handle the growing traffic. According to CAPA, India will need to invest $45 billion in airport infrastructure by 2030 to meet the demand. There is also a need to improve the connectivity and accessibility of airports with other modes of transport such as rail, road, and metro.
- Competition from low-cost carriers: Another challenge facing the aviation industry in India is the intense competition from low-cost carriers (LCCs) such as IndiGo, SpiceJet, GoAir, etc. These LCCs have captured a significant market share by offering low fares and high frequency services. They have also expanded their network to international destinations, posing a threat to full-service carriers (FSCs) such as Air India, Vistara, etc.
- Environmental concerns: Another challenge facing the aviation industry in India is the environmental impact of aviation activities. According to IATA, aviation accounts for 2% of global CO2 emissions and 12% of transport-related CO2 emissions. There is a need to adopt more sustainable practices and technologies to reduce the carbon footprint of aviation. Some of these include using biofuels, electric aircraft, carbon offsetting, etc.
- Technological changes: Another challenge facing the aviation industry in India is the rapid technological changes that are transforming the sector. Some of these include artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, biometrics, drones, etc. These technologies have the potential to improve efficiency, safety, security, and customer experience in aviation. However, they also pose some risks and challenges such as cybersecurity, privacy, regulation, etc.
The future of aviation industry in India is bright, with significant growth expected in the coming years, particularly in the areas of international travel and cargo. The government’s continued efforts to boost air connectivity and infrastructure development are expected to further drive the growth of the sector. However, the industry will also need to address some challenges such as infrastructure constraints, competition from low-cost carriers, environmental concerns, and technological changes in order to continue to thrive.
If you’re interested in being a part of this exciting sector, you need to be aware of both the opportunities and the risks involved in this career choice. You also need to be prepared to work hard, learn new skills, and adapt to changing situations.
I hope this post has given you some useful information and insights on what the future of aviation industry in India looks like. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. And if you’re already working in this sector or planning to join it soon, I’d love to hear your stories and experiences. Thanks for reading, and happy flying!