In 2023, the aviation authority gave out an impressive 1,622 commercial pilot licenses (CPLs), which is the highest in the last ten years. This beats the previous record set in 2022, with a notable increase of 39.22%.
As we step into 2024, reflecting on the recent past year, 2023 witnessed a surge in aspiring commercial pilots receiving their licenses.
This indicates a growing interest and demand in the field of aviation, possibly opening up new opportunities and advancements in the aviation industry in the coming year.
In 2023, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) witnessed a significant 39% increase in the issuance of Commercial Pilot Licences (CPLs), reaching a total of 1,622, according to an official statement released on Monday.
- Notably, the share of women in this achievement rose by 22.5%.
- This surge surpasses the previous year’s count, where 1,165 CPLs were issued by the DGCA as of December 31, 2022.
- The released information also highlights that the number of CPLs issued in 2023 marks the highest in the last ten years.
The notable increase in the percentage of women receiving Commercial Pilot Licences (CPLs) aligns with the government’s commitment to empowering women in the civil aviation sector, as per the statement.
Currently, around 14% of the workforce in scheduled airlines comprises women pilots.
The timing of issuing 1,622 CPLs in a single year coincides with the rapid recovery of the country’s civil aviation sector from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Major operators such as Air India and IndiGo have contributed to this recovery by placing substantial orders for new aircraft, the release highlighted.
Furthermore, in response to the longstanding demand from small business and helicopter operators, the regulatory body has approved a new helicopter flying training organization.
This approval allows aspiring pilots to undergo training and obtain commercial licenses specifically for helicopters.
The move is expected to strengthen the helicopter industry, particularly in regional connectivity services (RCS), pilgrimage, air-ambulance, among other sectors, by providing an additional pool of pilots beyond ex-military personnel, the statement concluded.
