But now, with passenger load factors having increased by 30% in the last quarter over the same quarter a year ago, and with further growth expected, some airlines, especially the low-cost carriers, are going in for an expansion.
Airlines that had downsized capacities last year are thinking of adding capacity. This has opened up the job market, as some airlines have begun hiring pilots, co-pilots, cabin crew and engineers.
Industry analysts call this a 'quiet resurgence in hiring' as the aviation sector is still to fly out of the red. Besides, with foreign carriers poaching Indian talent, many vacancies have arisen that some airlines are trying to fill.
According to Kapil Kaul, of Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), hiring has been initiated by low-cost carriers like Spicejet, IndiGo and Go Air, as they have plans to add new aircraft and expand their services this year. Between the three low-cost carriers, around 12-15 new aircraft would be added by the end of this year.
A Spicejet official said it would be receiving 5 new aircraft this year and that the company had a hiring agenda. "We are extremely bullish on hiring pilots, co-pilots, and cabin crew, as we have aggressive plans to increase the network," said M Thiagarajan, MD, Paramount Airways.
A senior official of a full-service airline said the airline was hiring in order to fill vacancies that had arisen due to high attrition.
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