The Indian aviation industry is facing a severe shortage of right talents, according to an industry analysis report published by Economic Times in collaboration with the staffing company TeamLease.
There is a shortage of 500 pilots this year when 1300 pilots are already on the roaster. In terms of cabin crew, there is a deficit of 1350 people when compared to the ideal count of 4900. To perform the duties on the ground, the industry requires a total of 15,800 people, but currently, there are only 9200 staff available.
When the airline companies are looking for expansion and plan to add more aircraft in the upcoming season, the job opportunities in the industry will further increase. According to TeamLease, the sector may add another 18,000 jobs, both direct and indirect, in various strata by 2020.
Expansion Plans of Airlines will increase Aviation Jobs
On another end, there is a scenario of the financial crisis in the industry. Jet Airways is one among the debt-ridden ones. Besides the debt issues of the airlines, there are also concerns of high fuel price and tax rates. However, such problems do not cease the airlines from charting out their expansion plans.
To say, IndiGo has clearly stated its plans of expansion in the coming years. The budget air carrier had to trim its flight schedules due to the non-availability of required staff. The company even hired pilots from Jet Airways by providing them bonuses and additional incentives. Reports say that IndiGo hired around 100 Boeing 737 pilots of commander-level from Jet Airways in total. However, the airline is continuing to face a shortage of pilots.
Vistara is another airline that has announced its expansion plans. It said that it is planning to roll out 56 new aircraft by 2023. The premium service provider also hired 1000 staff in the 2018-19 period to meet its expansion requirements.
The airlines are now open to providing the opportunity to expat professionals as the demands remain unmet from the local talents, said the report.
The increase in the demand will not only prove beneficial to the job seekers, but also to the academies that provide skill training to airline professionals. In parallel to the industry needs, the training academies are also expanding their seating capacities and the number of trained students they release every year. Airlines such as IndiGo, SpiceJet, and GoAir recruited 7000 students last year from various campuses of Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training, says the report.
Given the increase in demand and the shortage of cash flow in the industry, the salaries of the staff may take a hit. The sector may reduce the range of wages currently offered in the industry.
