Market Intelligence: Indian Subcontinent

India Becomes Second Country to Launch Electronic Personnel License for Pilots

India – Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Sh. Ram Mohan Naidu today launched the Electronic Personnel License (EPL) for Pilots, a ground-breaking initiative set to modernize and enhance the safety, security and efficiency of India’s civil aviation sector. With this advancement, India becomes the second country globally to implement this advanced system, following approval from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The EPL is a digital version of a personnel license that will replace traditional physical licenses for pilots. It will be securely accessible via the eGCA Mobile Application, ensuring a seamless and transparent process in alignment with the Government of India’s “Ease of Doing Business” and “Digital India” initiatives.

The introduction of EPL follows ICAO’s Amendment 178 to Annex 1 – Personnel Licensing, which encourages Member States to adopt electronic licenses for improved security and efficiency. While major global aviation leaders, are still in the process of implementing similar systems, India has successfully taken the lead in digital aviation solutions.

The Union Minister remarked, “With the unprecedented growth of India’s aviation sector, we will need approximately 20,000 pilots in the near future. Pilots are the backbone of civil aviation, and with eGCA and EPL, we are leveraging innovative, tech-driven solutions to enhance their comfort and employability globally, while providing real-time access to their credentials to support security operations.”

Prior to this implementation, DGCA was issuing licenses to the Pilots in the smart card format and had issued 62,000 card licenses till date. The total licenses issued in the year 2024 requiring printed cards stand at approximately 20,000 which is average of 1,667 cards per month. With the launch of EPL, the need for printed cards will be reduced in a phased manner, significantly streamlining the licensing process. Additionally, this shift will have a positive impact on environmental sustainability by reducing paper and plastic usage.

The Minister, also highlighted other transformative initiatives for reshaping Indian aviation through digital innovation and making operations more efficient. Key advancements include the eGCA platform for streamlined licensing, the Digital Sky Platform for drones, and the Electronic Flight Folder (EFF) for airline operations.

The introduction of the Electronic Personnel License (EPL) for pilots represents a significant milestone in establishing a globally recognized regulatory framework. It strengthens India’s position as a global leader in aviation innovation and ensuring a more robust and tamper-proof licensing system.

About Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
Based in New Delhi, India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the country’s regulatory body for civil aviation. It oversees safety regulations, licensing, and operational standards for aviation professionals and organizations in India.

Source: Ministry of Civil Aviation, India

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Flight School Resource and Training Timeline Forecasting Tool, Aeroplanned, Highlights New Progress Report for External Stakeholder Feature

Global – Aeroplanned, the pioneering resource planning platform for flight training, has launched a new feature aimed at streamlining the sharing of student progress reports with external stakeholders. The feature, which allows for custom reports and external logins, is designed to improve transparency and efficiency across the pilot training pipeline, benefiting both flight schools and partner airlines.

  • The new feature enables flight schools to create customized progress reports for external stakeholders such as partner airlines, sponsors, funding partners, and regulators.
  • External logins grant stakeholders real-time access to student training data, reducing reliance on time-consuming, static reports.
  • The tool aims to simplify the reporting process for flight schools, which often spend significant time compiling updates for cadet programs.
  • Airlines and other stakeholders can now monitor cadet progress and expected completion dates instantly, enabling more accurate planning for the next stages of training and employment.
  • The feature supports Aeroplanned’s mission to bring greater visibility and connectivity to the pilot training process.

For more information contact the Aeroplanned team.

Source: Aeroplanned

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Indian Flight Training Group Chimes Aviation Academy’s CAA IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program Batch 06 Cadets Sign LOIs

India – Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA), which operates two flight training bases in India, has shared that a new chapter began for 38 aspiring pilots as they officially signed their Letters of Intent (LOIs) under the Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA) IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program at a prestigious event held at Le Meridien, Gurgaon.

Speaking at the event, Y.N. Sharma, CEO of Chimes Aviation Academy, said: “Today is not just about signing an LOI—it’s about signing up for a lifelong pursuit of excellence in aviation. These 38 young cadets have chosen a path that requires discipline, precision, and resilience. At Chimes Aviation Academy, we take immense pride in preparing them for the challenges and responsibilities that come with being an airline.”

The IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program, in partnership with Chimes Aviation Academy, is designed to equip cadets with world-class training, technical expertise, and leadership skills required to navigate the future of commercial aviation. Through a structured curriculum, the cadets will undergo rigorous ground school and flight training, preparing them for the dynamic challenges of the aviation industry.

Source: Chimes Aviation Academy
Photo Credit: Chimes Aviation Academy

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Pilot Training Facilitator United 7 Aero Partners with Romania’s Regional Air School in 2025

India – United 7 Aero has announced a strategic partnership with Regional Air School, Romania, to provide a comprehensive pilot training pathway. Aviacons will serve as the ground school partner, ensuring aspiring pilots receive both high-quality theoretical instruction and practical flight training under globally recognized standards.

  • The partnership offers a streamlined, end-to-end pilot training program, covering ground school to flight training.
  • United 7 Aero (U7A) provides administrative and visa support to simplify the training journey for international students.
  • Regional Air School will deliver practical flight training, offering ATPL, CPL, PPL, and IR certifications.
  • Aviacons will handle theoretical instruction, supporting a well-rounded pilot education.

Source: United 7 Aero
Photo Credit: United 7 Aero

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