IndiGo's 900-pilot hiring: Historic challenge amid FDTL norms, pilot shortage

• IndiGo plans to hire nearly 900 pilots in the next year, an unprecedented scale for the airline.
• New Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms caused over 5,000 cancellations and a 10% capacity cut, intensifying IndiGo's staffing challenges.
• The airline faces significant financial strain, with new pilot acquisition costs estimated around Rs 1 crore per pilot, deepening its losses.
• The national pilot pipeline is tightening, with fewer Commercial Pilot Licences issued in 2024 compared to the previous year.
• IndiGo's hiring decisions will impact the broader Indian aviation ecosystem, as it controls nearly two-thirds of the domestic market.

Why It Matters: IndiGo's pilot hiring struggle affects its stability and India's aviation industry.