Optimists view Donald Trump’s H-1B application fee as an opportunity for India–to get its best & brightest back home. But a BBC report finds it is easier said than done
In 2024, the DGCA proposed new Flight Duty Time Limitation norms to align with global practices. However, under pressure from airlines, implementation was postponed indefinitely.
India's aviation sector is soaring, but steep training costs, outdated infrastructure, and the long haul from a commercial licence to the cockpit are keeping pilots grounded.
While expatriate pilots are hired at significantly higher salaries, Indian pilots’ salaries have been stagnant for over a decade, with allowances even being reduced after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Implementation of new norms, introduced in January to ease pilots' working hours, rest periods, has been deferred. Pilots complain of constantly-changing roster & being 'financial slaves'.
India’s aviation space is grappling with more than just a pilot deficit problem as industry experts highlight the need for the government and the aviation regulator to step in.
In a letter, dated 4 April, to Tata Sons Chairperson N Chandrasekaran, Air India pilots' unions alleged that pilot are being subjected to conditions and treatment ‘reminiscent of bonded labourers’.
Vinod Kannan acknowledged there were issues related to stretched working hours & assured pilots of tweaking the rostering system to make it more relaxed, said an insider.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation also plans to adopt a new regime called Fatigue Risk Management System. Changes, announced Monday, need to be implemented by operators by 1 June.
The Italian term sprezzatura—a studied nonchalance that conceals intention—best captures the spirit of Trump’s foreign policy so far. The pattern is unpredictability, transactionalism, and disruption as diplomacy.
With 20.2 percent of its total loans in default by the end of last year, Bangladesh had the weakest banking system in Asia. Despite reforms, it will take time to recover.
This world is being restructured and redrawn by one man, and what’s his power? It’s not his formidable military. It’s trade. With China, it turned on him.
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