NEW DELHI, Dec. 7 -- IndiGo is moving to rapidly rebuild its pilot pool after a shortage that nearly grounded India's bustling air travel network last week, outlining a plan to add 158 pilots by 10 February and another 742 by December next year. Experts, however, say meeting the target will be challenging, especially as new night-operation limits require airlines to roster more pilots.

InterGlobe Aviation Ltd, which runs IndiGo, has detailed its hiring ramp-up in a submission to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), according to a document reviewed by Mint. The airline will hire 300 captains and 600 junior first officers over the next 12 months, the document said.

"Indigo have an under training pool of 250 junior first offic...