The Indian Pilots' Guild (IPG) has issued a stark warning, stating that the emergence of new regional airlines will not be sufficient to break the powerful duopoly currently dominating India's skies. The pilots' body argues that without significant policy interventions, the market will remain heavily skewed in favor of IndiGo and the Air India group.
The Core of the Duopoly Problem
In a detailed representation to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the IPG highlighted the overwhelming market control held by just two airline groups. IndiGo commands a staggering 60% share of the domestic market, while the consolidated Air India group, which includes Air India, Vistara, Air India Express, and AIX Connect, controls approximately 30%. This leaves all other carriers to fight for the remaining 10% of the market.
The guild emphasized that this concentration of power creates an unhealthy ecosystem. It stifles competition, limits consumer choice, and places immense pressure on smaller players and new entrants who struggle to secure viable slots, parking space, and maintenance facilities at major airports.
Why Regional Carriers Are Not the Solution
The IPG's statement directly addresses the notion that promoting regional connectivity through new, smaller airlines can counterbalance the duopoly. They contend that this approach is flawed for several key reasons.
Firstly, regional carriers typically operate on less profitable routes with smaller aircraft. Their scale and network are inherently limited, preventing them from mounting any serious challenge to the national and international networks of the two giants. Secondly, the guild points out that the existing duopoly is already expanding its own regional presence, potentially squeezing out specialized competitors before they can gain a foothold.
Most critically, the IPG warns of a direct threat to pilot careers. The body alleges that the dominant airlines engage in practices that depress wages and compromise working conditions. They claim these carriers maintain a "hire and fire" policy and exploit a large pool of unemployed pilots to keep salary demands low, creating job insecurity across the profession.
Call for Policy Reform and Fair Competition
The pilots' union is not just critiquing the current state but is actively proposing solutions. They have called upon the government to enact policies that ensure a genuinely level playing field. Their recommendations focus on protecting the interests of both consumers and aviation professionals.
A primary demand is for the formulation of a 'Model Career Progression Scheme' for pilots. This scheme would standardize pay, benefits, and career growth paths across airlines, preventing the race to the bottom in employment terms. The IPG believes this is essential for maintaining safety standards and professional morale.
Furthermore, they urge the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to enforce stricter regulations on flight duty time limitations (FDTL) to combat pilot fatigue. They also advocate for policies that prevent the dominant players from engaging in anti-competitive practices, such as predatory pricing or monopolizing airport infrastructure, which can kill off smaller competitors.
The underlying message from the Indian Pilots' Guild is clear: the health of India's aviation sector cannot be measured by passenger numbers alone. Sustainable growth requires robust competition, fair employment practices, and strategic oversight to prevent market distortion. Without these elements, they argue, the duopoly will only strengthen, and the promise of regional connectivity may not translate into a stable or competitive industry for airlines or their employees.
