GURUGRAM, India — IndiGo Airlines, India’s largest carrier by market share, is overhauling its pilot training framework with the introduction of Evidence-Based Training (EBT) — a data-driven system designed to strengthen safety, operational decision-making, and performance in real-world conditions.
The move marks a significant evolution from the airline’s existing Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) framework to a performance-centered model rooted in global best practices. IndiGo plans to complete the transition to EBT within the next 12 to 18 months, aligning its training programs with the most advanced methodologies used by leading international carriers.
Headquartered near Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), IndiGo operates over 2,300 daily flights with a fleet exceeding 400 aircraft and employs approximately 5,300 pilots. As the airline expands its network and introduces wide-body aircraft into service, its leadership says the shift toward EBT reflects a strategic commitment to integrating technology, analytics, and evidence-based learning across all pilot development stages.
Moving Beyond Traditional Methods
IndiGo’s new training approach aims to redefine how pilots are assessed and prepared for the dynamic challenges of modern aviation. Rather than relying on standardized checklists and repetitive procedures, EBT programs will immerse pilots in scenarios modeled on actual flight data, mirroring real-world complexities and operational demands.
The approach leverages artificial intelligence, performance analytics, and operational data to identify key learning opportunities, enabling the airline to adapt its instruction to genuine cockpit situations.
According to company officials, all training material will undergo validation using performance evidence drawn directly from flight operations before being integrated into learning modules. This ensures that pilots strengthen core competencies such as decision-making, communication, situational awareness, and team coordination — all of which directly influence safety outcomes.
A senior IndiGo official explained that EBT allows the airline to “use real data to train for real situations,” ensuring pilots are better prepared for varied flying environments and operational demands.
From CBTA to EBT: A Strategic Evolution
While the current CBTA system focuses on building fundamental pilot competencies, EBT takes the concept further by applying measurable evidence from real operations to continuously refine performance.
IndiGo’s transition process will begin with large-scale data collection, validation, and expert analysis in partnership with global aviation consultants. Once implemented, the system will allow for personalized pilot development, tailoring instruction to each individual’s strengths and areas for improvement.
The airline’s training leadership describes the change as a “shift from traditional evaluation methods to performance-based learning,” reflecting an industry-wide move toward predictive safety models that proactively address potential risks.
Preparing for Rapid Expansion
With more than 900 new aircraft on order, IndiGo anticipates doubling its pilot workforce by 2030. Executives say this growth trajectory underscores the importance of scalable, adaptive training systems capable of maintaining safety and quality across a rapidly expanding operation.
By investing in EBT, IndiGo expects to strengthen its safety culture, enhance operational resilience, and prepare a new generation of aviators for increasingly complex global flight environments. The evidence-based approach will also allow the airline to track and benchmark pilot performance over time, ensuring consistent improvement across its training ecosystem.
Building the Next Generation of Aviators
The rollout of EBT signals IndiGo’s broader vision to integrate technology, safety, and human expertise as the foundation for its future. By leveraging data and advanced simulation, the airline aims to ensure that its pilots not only meet but exceed international proficiency standards.
As the aviation industry globally moves toward more data-informed operational strategies, IndiGo’s adoption of EBT positions it among the leaders in next-generation pilot development. The initiative reflects a forward-looking philosophy — one that places measurable performance and continuous learning at the center of aviation safety.
IndiGo’s evidence-based training initiative marks a pivotal step in redefining how Indian airlines approach pilot development, bridging the gap between classroom learning and the realities of the cockpit.
