The share of women pilots in India is 15 per cent which is "significantly higher" than the international average of 5 per cent, the government said on Monday (6 December).

"As per the information available with eGCA (e-Governance for Civil Aviation), out of the 17,726 registered pilots in India, the number of women pilots is 2,764," Union Minister of States in Ministry of Civil Aviation General (Retired) V K Singh said in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.

Singh said that the Ministry of Civil Aviation and its associated organisations have taken a number of steps to promote training of pilots in the country. These include issuing award letters for nine new Flying Training Organisations (FTO) at five airports of Airports authority of India (Belagavi, Jalgaon, Kalaburagi, Khajuraho and Lilabari) with rationalised land charges etc., digitisation of approval processes at the regulator DGCA and greater empowerment of Flying Instructors etc.

"These measures are likely to enhance the flying hours at FTOs and the number of Commercial Pilot Licenses issued per annum. These will benefit all aspiring pilots, including women pilots," he said.

The minister added that the Women in Aviation International (WAI) - India Chapter conducts many awareness programmes across the country in collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, industry and leading women aviation professionals, with special focus on young schoolgirls, especially from low income families.

"Globally, according to the International Society of Women Airline Pilots, around 5% of pilots are women. In India, the share of women pilots is significantly higher - at over 15%," Singh said.