Foreign pilots to be taken off Indian skies by 2013: DGCA

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Director General of Civil Aviation said on Monday that the airline regulator hopes to complete the process of replacing foreign pilots from the Indian aviation industry by the end of 2013.

"The deadline I have set for the foreign pilots to leave India is December 2013. We feel we will be able to achieve it," E K Bharat Bhushan said.

There are 415 foreign pilots in the country and the savings of the airline industry would increase post their departure, he said.

Though India has about 1,300 local pilots, most of them are co-pilots, he said, adding, "I hope our pilots would have made it to the command by the time the foreign pilots leave."

He also touched upon the issue of fake pilot license and explained that the re-verification of 6,000 of 6,500 Commercial Pilot Licence holders had been completed. Bhushan admitted that the matter was serious and notices had been sent to some flying schools.

The government is considering the creation of a Civil Aviation Authority to address issues concerning the domestic aviation sector, he said.

Bhushan said 2010 saw a 24% growth in passenger traffic than 2009. Currently, there are seven private airlines and a total of 433 aircraft, he said.