ArdorComm Media News Network
January 23, 2026
India’s civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, issued a record 1,628 Commercial Pilot Licences (CPLs) in 2024—the highest annual total ever—according to the government. The civil aviation ministry said the milestone reflects a sharp expansion of pilot training and certification capacity in the country.
In a statement, the ministry noted that CPL issuances have grown more than 2.5 times over the past eight years. Year-wise data shows a steady climb despite pandemic disruptions: 640 licences in 2018, 744 in 2019, 578 in 2020, 862 in 2021, 1,165 in 2022, 1,622 in 2023, and 1,347 in 2024.
Offering a broader snapshot of developments in 2024, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said it has been closely tracking airfare trends through real-time monitoring and ongoing coordination with airlines and online travel platforms.
During the operational disruptions faced by IndiGo in December, the ministry said it exercised regulatory powers to curb opportunistic pricing. Airlines were directed to strictly comply with fare caps across affected routes, a measure that remains in place until conditions fully normalise.
The directive aimed to enforce pricing discipline, prevent passenger exploitation, and ensure that travellers with urgent needs—including senior citizens, students and patients—were not burdened by excessive fares during the disruption, the ministry added.
Source: PTI