India Files Complaint with ICAO Over Foreign Airlines Poaching Pilots and Engineers
India has lodged a formal complaint with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) over the large-scale recruitment of Indian pilots and engineers by foreign airlines, particularly carriers in the Gulf region. The move comes amid growing concerns that aggressive international hiring is draining skilled aviation talent from India just as its domestic airline sector experiences rapid expansion.
The country’s aviation industry is booming, driven by record aircraft orders from IndiGo (6E) and Air India (AI) and massive infrastructure investments. However, as global airlines lure away trained professionals with higher pay and tax-free benefits, Indian carriers are struggling to retain qualified staff. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers called the trend “disturbing,” warning that large-scale losses of aviation professionals could undermine India’s long-term growth plans.
India’s Complaint to ICAO
In August, India submitted a working paper to ICAO titled “Practices Impacting Orderly Conduct of International Civil Aviation.” The document urged ICAO member states to adopt a code of conduct governing cross-border hiring to prevent disruption of domestic aviation ecosystems. According to the paper, aggressive recruitment campaigns by foreign airlines are creating an “unfair competitive disadvantage” for Indian carriers, which invest heavily in training pilots and engineers who later leave for higher-paying jobs abroad.
The report also highlighted that replacing such specialized staff can take months or even years, creating financial and operational strain. India’s submission argues that domestic carriers, in effect, subsidize the training costs of foreign competitors when skilled workers migrate overseas.
Pushback from ICAO Members
India’s proposal met with resistance during the ICAO General Assembly in late September. Most member countries argued that regulating pilot and engineer mobility would conflict with principles of free labor movement and open competition. The International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations (IFALPA) countered that such restrictions could violate basic labor rights.
Pilot unions and professional groups urged India to address the root causes of the talent exodus instead—pointing to lower wages, challenging working conditions, and limited career advancement at home. Many pilots also cited bureaucratic delays in obtaining job clearances as evidence of hidden obstacles to international mobility.
Domestic Challenges and Market Concentration
The collapse of Jet Airways and Go First has further reduced employment options for Indian pilots, leaving IndiGo and Air India with more than 90% of the domestic market. With fewer employers to choose from, pilots have little bargaining power over pay and working conditions. Unions warn that restricting foreign employment could lead to “bonded labor” conditions and further discourage new entrants to the profession.
India’s complaint highlights a real concern: balancing rapid aviation growth with workforce stability in a globalized labor market. While the ICAO rejected its proposal, the debate underscores the need for domestic reforms. Experts say improving working conditions, streamlining bureaucracy, and creating clearer career paths could help India retain its aviation talent—without restricting their freedom to work abroad.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, aviationa2z.com