DGCA to replace foreign pilots with Indian pilots

Bangalore: Desi jobless pilots now have a reason to smile. The recent directive to replace foreign pilots with Indian pilots by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) can drive away their job-related blues.
According to the aviation industrial data, there are around 1,000 foreign pilots working for different airlines in India. Moreover, national carrier Air India is on a hiring spree. This year, Air India plans to hire 30-40 pilots every three months and to induct 30 new aircraft (including replacements) during the fiscal year 2009-2010.
Ashotosh Agarwal, who has a licence from a Canadian flying school is now hopeful. “With the directives of DGCA and openings at Air India and more Indian airlines companies in an expansion mode, it seems that most trained pilots will now find jobs.” Speaking to the Express, Himang Tripati of Acumen School of Pilot Training (ASPT) said, “This directive has boosted the number of aspirants.” He claims that the number of applications in past two months have gone up. In the past two months, we have got more than 45 applications. Even flying schools abroad are also cashing in on this.” Last month, Pacific Aviation Academy from British Columbia conducted a workshop in Bangalore and they received a good response.
16/03/09 Mohammed Shariff/ExpressBuzz