Dhaka, June 20 -- AirAsia India launched the country's first cadet-pilot programme on June 18 and now the carrier is ready to send its first batch of 15 cadets to New Zealand for flight training.

The launch of the pilot programme follows the acknowledgement of needing 10,000 new pilots by 2030 despite the current slump in the Indian domestic aviation market. India was ranked second globally by passenger volumes, among the fastest growing domestic markets for aviation. Meaning the demand for pilots will rise high in the future, even as the Kingfisher and Jet Airways pilots are being quickly taken by other airlines.

AirAsia India has partnered with New Zealand Academy and Harrison Omniview Consulting for the cadet-pilot project. As part o...