The general public views the airline industry as one of the most lucrative sectors or as a glamorous realm where passengers enjoy a smooth, high-tech experience while pilots and cabin crew traverse the world. But this shiny picture does not at all represent reality.
The airline industry has become cruel and harsh toward its employees and clients as it prioritises profit-making. Passengers have to deal with a slew of issues, including flight delays and cancellations, misplaced or damaged luggage, long check-in and boarding queues, poor customer service, or unsatisfactory grievance redressal, insufficient in-flight amenities, seat assignment problems, and a lack of timely updates on flight status. The staff too face their own set of difficulties.
Those who work in the industry may find it to be an endless grind. Pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff work day and night to keep operations running smoothly. The public, meanwhile, thinks that these workers live a lavish lifestyle. But, in reality, they endure daily hardships due to unpredictable schedules, lengthy workdays, and inadequate pay.
It’s critical to address these challenges to improve the experience of both passengers and airline staff.
The crisis in Indian aviation
India’s growing aviation industry is facing a concerning issue—the mental and physical toll on its pilots. While India is now the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, lately, the plight of its pilots has drawn attention, particularly in the wake of many terrible fatalities in the cockpit. Recently, an Air India pilot reached out to me to highlight the intense pressures and exploitative conditions faced by pilots in India’s aviation industry. Airline crew members in India are feel overlooked and trapped in a system that prioritises profit over their well-being and safety.
Pilots and cabin crew face unpredictable working hours, which have worsened under Air India Express’ (AIX) new policy. It allows roster changes with just 12 hours’ notice and offers no standby compensation. This policy leaves employees with no personal life, and refusal to comply can lead to severe consequences.
As one pilot told ThePrint, “Earlier, flying was not so intense. For example, in 2005, there were no departures between midnight and 5 am.”
Now, he added, everything is in disarray. These days, airlines create rosters using software that does not consider you to be a human. To them, you are only a figure that must be maximised for the sake of the business.
Airlines often justify these constant shifts with vague excuses like “operational reasons”, but in reality, it shows a complete disregard for their employees. Many pilots end up flying without proper rest, leading to fatigue and anxiety—both of which pose serious safety risks. Additionally, while pilots are paid only for the hours they spend flying, their total duty hours many times exceed flight time by two or three times.
For example, a typical flying schedule of 65-70 hours per month often results in more than 135 duty hours, which is exhausting. Their leave entitlements, as specified in contracts, are frequently denied under the guise of “operational needs”, even though they often work far fewer hours than required. At Air India, for instance, there was a four-month leave blackout last year, despite crew members flying only 40-50 hours per month—well below optimal levels.
Also read: Pilot error most common cause of crashes. A study in psychology key to India’s aviation safety
Pilot fatigue and exploitation
Adding to the frustration is the exploitation of Indian pilots. While expatriate pilots are hired at significantly higher salaries, Indian pilots have seen their pay stagnate for over a decade, with allowances even being reduced after the Covid-19 pandemic. The glaring pay disparity between local and foreign pilots is frustrating, especially considering that Indian pilots are just as qualified and carry the same responsibilities.
The ongoing pilot shortage in India is closely tied to the working conditions in airlines. Many airlines are struggling to meet the growing travel demand with a limited pool of trained pilots. This shortage has led to significant operational challenges, including flight cancellations and overburdened crews. A reported 12-15 per cent shortfall in trained pilots has left airlines scrambling to meet the demands of an ever-expanding aviation market.
Pilots often endure subpar conditions due to financial pressures. Becoming a commercial pilot in India requires a substantial investment—up to Rs 1 crore for training, licences, and certifications. Many pilots are trapped in a cycle of debt, unable to leave the profession due to the massive costs involved.
A pilot, while speaking to ThePrint, said that they have no choice but to continue working in tough conditions because they are “financial slaves.” Pilots are often forced to take on side jobs or accept poor working conditions because they cannot afford to lose their jobs.
The consequences of pilot fatigue are not just a matter of physical health—they directly affect safety. A survey conducted by the Safety Matters Foundation in July 2024 highlighted that extended duty periods, consecutive night flights, and a lack of support contribute significantly to fatigue. Pilots reported feeling increasingly unsafe due to these conditions, noting that their performance was impaired as a result of insufficient rest. “Fatigue affects everything from decision-making to physical coordination. A fatigued pilot is a danger to everyone on board,” a pilot told me.
Also read: Disgruntled pilots are a sign of worry. Vistara should fix HR before resuming operations
A step toward pilot health and safety
Some airlines are exploring technologies like fatigue detection to assess when pilots may be too tired to fly safely. However, these solutions are more reactive than proactive. It’s like using a patch on a leaky roof without fixing the underlying structural damage. These tech tools can identify the issue later, but they don’t address the real causes, such as gruelling schedules and inadequate rest.
Flying hours and rest periods for pilots are controlled by Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, which were implemented in 2019. They have been criticised by many pilots as harmful to their health and performance. To address these concerns, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) proposed new rules last year, which include increasing rest times and limiting the number of hours pilots can work at night.
Pilots had embraced these changes, but concerns among airlines have deepened over increasing operating expenses and interruptions. The issue of working conditions in airlines received plenty of attention, though only after the pilot deaths. The DGCA recognised the fatalities, which it ascribed to burdensome workloads, and called them “an urgent wake-up call” for the industry.
Nevertheless, airlines opposed the rollout of the updated FDTL rules, delaying their implementation. The Delhi High Court, in December last year, ordered the DGCA to consult with all stakeholders and fix a timeline to implement the new rules. Subsequently, the DGCA informed the court that the rules will come into effect in phases by July 2025.
There are expectations that these updated regulations would enhance the health and productivity of pilots. Ultimately, meaningful change will require a reassessment of how regulators and airlines prioritise the human aspect of aviation, keeping pilot wellbeing at the core. As the sector grows, these issues must be resolved to protect both pilots and passengers.
Karti P Chidambaram is a Member of Parliament for Sivaganga and a Member of the All India Congress Committee. He is also the Vice President of the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association. His X handle is @KartiPC. Views are personal.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)
This gotta be a joke! Indian pilots are very well paid. I live in North America. I have some friends who came here to study flying and returned because salaries in India are far higher than global standards when you consider purchase power parity (Middle East is an exception). The average pilot here earns around $80k USD, far lesser than a software engineer while a similarly skilled pilot earns around INR 40lakhs, which is a decent pay in India!
I find it hard to believe.
Airline pilots is an international profession. Pilots will go where they get paid the best. Airlines are expanding routes and adding more aircraft. It would not be in their interest to stretch pilots.
This is a political piece dressed as an opinion.
Oh, that is not good to read at all. So many precious lives depend on their something split second judgment, calm professionalism throughout the flight. Also an aircraft that costs $ 100 – 200 million.