India, March 6 -- Even as more and more Indians take to the air - passenger numbers crossed 160 million recently - there is one red flag that needs attention from all stakeholders - pilot shortage.

The pandemic took a significant toll on humanity and like many other professions, many in the aviation sector - commanders, co-pilots and cabin crew in particular - were either laid off or took sharp pay cuts as airlines globally struggled to keep their head above water. The sector took a bigger knock than most others. Many airlines crew in India lost their lives to the virus while others suffered the stress of financial setbacks because of dwindled-down incomes. Throughout 2020 and 2021, aviation industry sources witnessed and cited numerous ...