Hiring expatriate pilots is considered to be an expensive proposition for the firms, considering foreign pilots are paid more than their local counterparts. Hiring expatriate pilots is considered to be an expensive proposition for the firms, considering foreign pilots are paid more than their local counterparts. However, as of December 1, 2017, there were around 249 foreign pilots employed by various domestic airlines. Notably, unlike the existing norms, the draft rules also have a separate category for balloon pilots. While airlines in India hire expatriate pilots to meet the shortage of trained senior pilots, it is considered to be an expensive proposition for the companies, considering foreign pilots are paid more than their local counterparts.

Source: Indian Express January 07, 2018 19:52 UTC