Archive · 30 Jul 2026
IndiGo Adds 330 Pilots Amid Flight Growth, Capacity Cut
IndiGo is a big airline in India.
In the last year, it hired 330 new pilots, which is a small number compared to the 10,000 pilots it has.
Even though the government cut how many flights it could do by 10%, IndiGo still flew about 787,000 flights, a little more than before.
It carried 123 million people, which is a lot.
The airline wants to have more than 600 planes by the end of the decade, so it is working with nine schools to train new pilots.
The boss, Rahul Bhatia, said the problems in December were very hard but the airline is getting stronger.
IndiGo added 330 pilots in FY26, raising total pilots to 5,786.
Flights increased 2% to 787,741 despite a 10% capacity cut.
Passenger load factor rose to 84.4%, carrying 123 million passengers.
Company plans to reach 600+ aircraft by decade’s end, expanding cadet pilot program.
Managing Director Rahul Bhatia called December disruption an "extremely challenging time" and pledged stronger resilience.
- Who
- IndiGo airline and Managing Director Rahul Bhatia
- What
- Added 330 pilots, increased flights, and carried 123 million passengers
- When
- Fiscal year 2026 (ended March 31, 2026)
- Where
- India
- Why
- To support growth plans and meet new duty norms after a 10% capacity cut
- Pilot Strength
- 5,786 pilots (FY26)
- Flights Operated
- 787,741 flights (FY26)
- Passengers Carried
- 123 million (FY26)
- Passenger Load Factor
- 84.4% (FY26)
- Cadet Pilot Initiative
- Expanded to 9 academies