India – The Airline Pilots Association of India (ALPA‑India), the national professional body representing airline pilots, has issued a formal objection to the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation’s recent working paper submitted to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), warning that the proposal could restrict pilot mobility and institutionalise inequitable employment practices.
- The working paper titled “Practices impacting orderly conduct of international civil aviation” was submitted during ICAO’s 42nd Assembly (September 23 to October 2, 2025) in Montreal.
- The paper argues that foreign airlines recruiting Indian pilots and engineers without proper coordination undermines domestic workforce planning and impairs Indian carriers’ operational capability.
- ALPA‑India criticized the proposal for being advanced without consultation with pilot associations or labour representatives, calling it “deeply concerning.”
- The association warned that such policies may resemble “bonded labour” by locking pilots into single employers under changing conditions, limiting their freedom to seek better compensation or working environments abroad.
- ALPA‑India submitted a detailed counter-report to the Ministry on August 8, 2025, and made it public following the ICAO assembly.
- The association highlighted flight safety concerns, noting that “forced retention under adverse terms may also increase mental stress among pilots.”
Statements
- “Employment decisions should rest with the individual, not the government,” ALPA‑India stated.
- “Forced retention under adverse terms may also increase mental stress among pilots, posing a serious risk to flight safety,” the association added.
Source: ALPA India
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