Pilot poaching: Is India’s request valid?

More and more Indian pilots are speaking about their discontent and unhappiness about working with any Indian airline. Many are packing their bags and signing up with foreign airlines. We already knew about the reasons for their disappointment. But now this issue has become a global discussion. Why? Because the Indian government is not happy about this trend. India has taken the matter to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which is basically the global body that sets the rules of the skies. The Indian government says that foreign airlines are poaching trained Indian pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers.

In a formal working paper presented before the ICAO with a title “Practices Impacting Orderly Conduct of International Civil Aviation”, India is essentially saying- we spend years and crores training these people. When they leave, we lose not just talent, but also the ability to grow. So India is asking ICAO to make a Code of Conduct so that this movement of staff between countries is done in an orderly way.

Now, let’s understand this issue — we know that Indian airlines had asked for a six-month notice period for pilots — the aviation regulator made that a rule. The decision was legally challenged by various pilot unions in the Delhi High Court, and the matter is sub Judice. But even if the notice period is not followed, the airline has to issue a No Objection Certificate to release the pilot, without which the pilot won’t be able to leave. Airlines also make pilots sign a bond, mostly for first officers or during an upgrade that goes beyond ₹50 lakh, which prevents them from quitting before a stipulated contract period, or the money will be forfeited by the airline. This could be fair as airlines are investing time and resources in training the crew.

Also Read: Aircraft shortage grounds Air India’s Delhi-Washington route from September

Now, here’s where it gets interesting — pilots are not like other professionals. They fly a plane in Mumbai the exact same way someone flies it in New York or Dubai. Their skills are universal. And when your skills are universal, the job market is global.

Now let’s talk about the main factor, which is salary. On average in India, a senior First Officer earns about ₹5 lakh a month. At Emirates or Etihad, it’s ₹10 lakh rupees, tax-free, plus free housing and free schooling for up to 3 children. In the US, the same job can get you ₹17 lakh a month. That’s almost two and a half times what they get in India. Onto Captains — in India, they make around ₹8 lakh a month, which also becomes taxable. At Emirates, it’s ₹16 lakh, again, tax-free, plus housing and free schooling. In the US, a captain’s paycheck can hit ₹22 lakh a month.

And it’s not just money. Pilots in India often complain about unpredictable rosters. In many foreign airlines, your roster is fixed. You know your off days months in advance. In India, pilots say they can’t plan anything more than 48 hours ahead because schedules change at the last minute.

Now India has argued in its working paper that replacing pilots, especially in specialised roles like aircraft maintenance engineers or type-rated captains, can take months or even years. And every time someone leaves, Indian airlines have to divert resources from expansion plans just to fill the gap. They say this puts India at a competitive disadvantage where airlines are effectively training people for other countries, while paying the price in delays, cancellations, and lost growth.

Also Read: DGCA pulls up IndiGo for training nearly 1,700 pilots on unqualified simulators

Here’s a point critics are bringing up and calling it double standard: Indian airlines themselves hire expat pilots. So, if we can bring in foreign pilots to meet our needs, why shouldn’t foreign airlines be able to hire Indian pilots to meet their needs?

A question that veteran and retired pilots are asking — if we’re aiming to be one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, shouldn’t we also be one of the best places for aviation talent to work? and that would be providing them salaries at par with global standards.

To pay higher salaries, Indian airlines also need to make money, and currently, IndiGo is the only Indian airline to post profits. So airlines might argue over high operating costs, but critics point out that running an airline in India isn’t dramatically cheaper than in Dubai or the US. Airport charges, fuel costs, navigation changes, and aircraft leases are pretty much on par. So if the operating costs are similar, why not match the working conditions?

And let’s not forget, becoming a pilot is a huge personal investment. It can cost around ₹1 crore for your Commercial Pilot’s Licence and type training, and you need about 1,500 flying hours to qualify as a captain.

Also Read: Malaysia Airlines looking to enhance flight frequency to cities in India, but rules out domestic joint venture

Now, many people find the salaries of pilots astronomically high and their lifestyle glamorous — but it doesn’t come easy — there are years of training, often starting with around ₹1 crore personal investment just to get the Commercial Pilot’s Licence and type rating. Then, to become a captain, you need at least 1,500 hours of flying time. That’s hundreds of take-offs and landings, in all kinds of weather, day and night. They work across different time zones, have irregular sleep, exposure to low humidity and artificial cabin pressure, and are away from family for long stretches. And on top of it, every decision they make has hundreds of lives depending on it, and mistakes are not an option.

And by the way, pilots aren’t the only ones in this category. In almost every profession where you invest heavily in skills, face constant scrutiny, and carry huge responsibility, from surgeons to ship captains, the salaries reflect that.

So while India wants a global rulebook to retain its talent, the real solution isn’t stopping pilots from leaving…it’s giving them a reason to stay.

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