Indian Aviation Industry Placement Criteria 2026 (Including Jet Airways Successor Carriers): Pilots, Cabin Crew & Ground Staff

Last Updated: May 6, 2026

May 3 • General • 76 Views • No Comments on Indian Aviation Industry Placement Criteria 2026 (Including Jet Airways Successor Carriers): Pilots, Cabin Crew & Ground Staff

India’s civil aviation sector is the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world by passenger traffic, and the placement opportunities for pilots, cabin crew, ground staff and aviation engineers have only expanded since 2013. This guide covers the current placement criteria for the major Indian carriers replacing Jet Airways’ market position.

Major Indian Airlines Hiring in 2026

• IndiGo, India’s largest airline by domestic market share (~60%); aggressive fleet expansion with A320neo and A321XLR orders.
• Air India, acquired by Tata Group in January 2022; merged with Vistara in November 2024 to become a single full-service carrier under the Air India brand.
• Air India Express, Tata Group’s low-cost arm; merged with AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) in October 2024.
• Akasa Air, launched in August 2022; rapidly expanding low-cost carrier.
• SpiceJet, low-cost carrier with limited current expansion.

Pilot Recruitment Criteria

Eligibility for Trainee First Officer (Cadet Pilot Programme)

• Age: 18 to 32 years (varies by airline; IndiGo Cadet Pilot Programme accepts up to 32).
• Education: 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics, minimum 60% in each subject. English proficiency mandatory.
• Medical fitness: Class 1 Medical Certificate from DGCA-approved medical examiner.
• Licence: Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) issued by DGCA. For experienced/lateral hires, a Multi-Engine, Instrument Rating and minimum hours requirement (typically 200 hours total time).
• Type rating: Airbus A320 / Boeing 737 / 777 / 787 type rating depending on the airline’s fleet.

Selection Process

1. Online application screening (academics, licence, hours).
2. Pilot aptitude test (Compass / CAE / Airline-specific test).
3. Group exercises and personality assessment.
4. Technical interview (aviation theory, aircraft systems).
5. HR interview.
6. Simulator assessment (for type-rated lateral entry pilots).
7. DGCA-approved medical examination.

Pilot Salary Range

Trainee First Officer: ₹1.5–2.5 lakhs/month during training. Junior First Officer (post type-rating): ₹3–6 lakhs/month. Captain (PIC): ₹7–15 lakhs/month plus flight allowances and benefits.

Cabin Crew Recruitment Criteria

Eligibility

• Age: 18 to 27 years (varies by airline).
• Education: 10+2 / Class 12 from a recognised board.
• Height: Minimum 155 cm for female candidates, 170 cm for male candidates (with proportional weight).
• Vision: 6/9 vision in both eyes (corrective lenses permitted).
• Language proficiency: Fluent in English and Hindi; additional languages add value.
• Marital status: Some airlines require unmarried candidates for the entry batch (varies by airline).
• Passport: Valid Indian passport.

Selection Process

1. Walk-in or online application.
2. Group Discussion and screening.
3. Personal interview (grooming, communication, customer-orientation evaluation).
4. Medical examination and document verification.
5. Training (12–16 weeks at airline academy), successful completion is mandatory before flying.

Cabin Crew Salary

Trainee/Junior cabin crew: ₹40,000–₹60,000 per month including flying allowance. Senior cabin crew/Lead cabin crew: ₹80,000–₹1,50,000 per month. International routes pay significantly more due to layover allowances.

Ground Staff Recruitment Criteria

Eligibility

• Education: 10+2 minimum; graduation preferred for customer service and supervisory roles.
• Age: 18 to 30 years.
• Skills: Customer service orientation, computer literacy, fluency in English and Hindi.
• Specialised roles like Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) require DGCA AME licence; Air Traffic Controller (ATC) requires AAI selection.

Job Roles in Ground Staff

• Customer Service Agent (Check-in counter, boarding, baggage)
• Ramp Agent / Loadmaster
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME), DGCA licensed
• Cargo Handler / Cargo Officer
• Airport Security (CISF, but airline-side roles also exist)
• Reservation & Ticketing Officer

Aviation Engineer Recruitment

For BE/BTech graduates in Aeronautical, Mechanical, Electrical or Avionics engineering, airlines hire Engineers (Trainee) for line maintenance and base maintenance. Eligibility: 60% aggregate in BE/BTech, AME licence preferred but not always mandatory at trainee level. Selection involves a written test, interview and on-the-job training. Starting CTC ranges from ₹4–7 lakhs per annum.

Where to Apply

• IndiGo: careers.goindigo.in
• Air India: careers.airindia.com
• Air India Express: careers.airindiaexpress.com
• Akasa Air: careers.akasaair.com
• SpiceJet: spicejet.com/careers

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jet Airways still hiring?

No. Jet Airways suspended operations in April 2019 and was ordered to be liquidated by the Supreme Court of India in November 2024. There is no recruitment by Jet Airways. Aviation aspirants should apply to the airlines listed above.

What is the minimum height for cabin crew in India?

Most Indian airlines require a minimum height of 155 cm for female cabin crew and 170 cm for male cabin crew, with proportional weight (BMI in healthy range).

How do I become a pilot in India?

Complete 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics, then enrol in a DGCA-approved flying school to obtain a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL). After CPL, apply to airline cadet programmes or build hours independently before applying as First Officer.

Which airline has the best career growth in India?

Air India (Tata Group) and IndiGo are currently the two airlines with the most aggressive expansion plans in 2026, and consequently offer the best career growth opportunities for new joinees across pilot, cabin crew, ground staff and engineering roles.

Related Reading on Our Education

• Aviation career guides and articles
• Cabin crew training and career path
• Pilot training and CPL guide in India

Air India RecruitmentAviation Industry Indiacabin crewGrammar test.Group DiscussionHR InterviewIndiGo PlacementJet Airways Placement CriteriaPilot TrainingWritten exam

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