Which Airlines Are Hiring Pilots in India? A 2025 Guide

For many aspiring and licensed pilots in India, the biggest challenge isn’t earning a CPL or ATPL; it’s finding the right airline that’s actively hiring. With training costs soaring beyond ₹80–90 lakhs and no guaranteed placement, uncertainty looms large over fresh graduates and low-hour pilots. Even experienced flyers face turbulence with inconsistent hiring cycles and changing fleet plans. 

Fortunately, 2025 is shaping up to be a high-demand year, with several Indian airlines aggressively expanding operations and recruiting new cockpit talent. This guide will help you find out which airlines are hiring pilots in India in 2025. This blog also offers updated insights into active recruitment drives, eligibility criteria, and real-time opportunities.

Current Hiring Outlook for Pilots in India

India’s aviation market is witnessing robust expansion. Domestic air travel reached 165 million passengers in FY25, a 17% increase over pre‑COVID levels, while international travel climbed to 34 million, a 49% surge. Fleet additions exceeded 134 aircraft in 2024, up from 119 in 2023. IndiGo and Air India added 24 new aircraft, and Air India Express added 18.

Consultancy firm Oliver Wyman estimates a widening pilot shortage, projecting a shortfall of 24,000 pilots by 2026. The gap is expected to continue well into the decade. As a result, airlines are ramping up recruitment through both cadet pathways and experienced-hire options.

What Are the Top Airlines Hiring Pilots in 2025?

IndiGo

IndiGo leads India’s commercial aviation with expansion plans requiring over 6,000 new pilots by 2025. The airline has onboarded around 1,000 new pilots in just two years, including a strong focus on gender diversity (16% female pilots). They sponsor cadet and direct entry programs, fueling pilot hiring across roles.

Air India/Air India Express

Air India is set to hire thousands more to support its global network and charter operations: projections suggest Air India alone will need nearly 5,870 additional pilots by the end of the decade. Additionally, Air India Express offers attractive compensation packages: First Officers earn ₹18 to 30 lakhs annually, Captains up to ₹90 lakhs, plus per-flight incentives and benefits.

Vistara (Merging with Air India)

Vistara, now integrating with Air India under the Tata Group, continues to hire premium‑segment pilots for Boeing 787 and A320 operations. However, recruitment is becoming more strategic and aligned with the merged fleet plan.

Akasa Air

Despite Boeing MAX delivery delays, which have grounded many pilots, Akasa has ambitious growth plans to double its fleet within 16 to 20 months and resume pilot hiring drives accordingly. They currently employ around 775 pilots, with about 310 grounded temporarily due to aircraft shortages. Most of these pilots are expected to fly by end‑2025.

SpiceJet

SpiceJet is reviving its Boeing 737 and ATR operations and expanding its cargo arm. It plans to onboard approximately 1,000+ pilots, especially for regional and cargo operations tied to e‑commerce demand.

Regional and Emerging Carriers

• Flybig, now flying ATRs to tier‑2/3 cities, is scaling operations and recruiting for ATR-rated pilots.
• Fly91, a new regional airline based in Goa, has begun operations with ATR‑72s and is expanding its workforce with every aircraft delivery.
• Air Kerala (Zettfly) is slated to launch soon, with plans to operate ATR‑72‑600 aircraft and hire both pilots and crew by mid‑2026.

Cargo & Charter Operators

Cargo airlines like Blue Dart, SpiceXpress, and QuikJet are scaling up due to e‑commerce growth and seeking pilot job vacancies for both scheduled and non‑scheduled services. Similarly, charter operators (JetSetGo, Club One Air) offer corporate pilot openings with flexible routes and often higher pay.

Eligibility Criteria that Airlines Are Seeking

Airlines typically require:

• A valid DGCA-issued CPL or ATPL, with a current Class 1 medical certificate.
• Relevant type rating (such as Airbus A320, Boeing 737, ATR),  some airlines offer training for fresh CPL holders.
• Minimum flying hours per airline-specific policy.
• Proficiency in English, strong CRM skills, and simulator evaluation performance.
• Some airlines like Air India run cadet pilot programmes open to graduates aged 18 to 30 with 60% in 10+2 (Physics, Maths, English).

Recently, DGCA has proposed allowing arts and commerce students to enter CPL training, pending Ministry approval, which could significantly broaden the candidate pool. 

Where to Find and Track Pilot Job Openings?

Here are some ways and platforms that can help you find and track job opportunities:

• Official career portals: Air India Careers, IndiGo careers website, Akasa Air pilot recruitment page.
• DGCA-approved aviation job boards and dedicated academies like Skyborne‑IndiGo Cadet Programme are listed on job portals (for example, Indeed).
• Pilot networking platforms, LinkedIn alerts, and aviation job fairs.
• Cadet declarations: Many airlines announce recruitment windows seasonally.
• Training academies like IGRUA, BAA Training, Skyborne and others provide placement links with airline partners.

Tips to Stay Competitive in 2025

Here are key strategies to strengthen your profile and increase your chances of landing pilot job vacancies in 2025:

• Maintain a current DGCA Class 1 medical and keep endorsements up to date.
• Stay cockpit‑ready: simulate-hour logging and training currency.
• Obtain additional type ratings if possible (like ATR, A320) to widen options.
• Develop CRM, automation and soft skills, critical for airline assessments.
• Join and network in pilot communities and attend career webinars.
• Watch DGCA notices for policy shifts, like non‑science eligibility changes, and airline bulletins regularly.

Conclusion

Knowing which airlines are hiring pilots in India in 2025 gives you the clarity needed to plan your career with purpose. While major airlines are actively recruiting, regional, cargo, and start-up operators are opening up specialised pathways. The market is returning to pre-pandemic stability, and the demand for skilled pilots continues to rise.
At Airship Aviation Academy, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence. Whether you’re preparing for your CPL, mastering ATP theory, or getting ready for airline interviews, we provide the structure and support you need to succeed. Our training helps you stay licensing-ready, build real-world flight knowledge, and turn commercial pilot job openings into career breakthroughs. Connect with us to get started today!