- Aviation’s People Power: CITA’s Head of Operations on Global Crew Shortages and Recruitment Solutions
By Sangeeta Saxena
New Delhi. 30 November 2025. At the bustling Inspiration Zone of the Dubai Airshow—an area generally known for startups—CITA stands out as an Indian aviation recruitment leader. Representing a sector that forms the backbone of global aviation operations, CITA is building a reputation for connecting airlines with certified captains, pilots, and cabin crew. With global carriers facing acute shortages of trained personnel, CITA is leveraging its extensive database and EASA-certified talent pool to support airlines across continents. In this conversation, Prithvi, Head of Operations at CITA, shares insights on what the company showcased at the Dubai Airshow, how it is helping airlines address pressing recruitment challenges and why CITA’s presence at the event became a proud moment for the Indian aviation community.
ADU. We’re meeting you here at the Dubai Airshow in the Inspiration Zone, where many startups are present. But CITA is not a startup—it’s an established recruitment company. What exactly are you showcasing at the event?
Prithvi. That’s right—CITA isn’t a startup. We’re a dedicated aviation recruitment company, and here we’re showcasing our services for international airlines. Many global carriers have growing needs for captains, experienced cabin crew, and specialized aviation professionals. Our goal at the Airshow is to highlight how we can support these recruitment requirements, especially as new airlines like Riyadh Air have just launched and are looking for qualified crew. We’re promoting CITA as a reliable recruitment bridge for airlines facing shortages.
ADU. You mentioned that airlines from multiple countries are reaching out. How does CITA handle recruitment across different nationalities and regulatory requirements?
Prithvi. The key differentiator for us is our pool of EASA-certified cabin crew. Airlines worldwide prefer hiring crew who already hold EASA certification because it reduces training costs and ensures global compliance standards. These crew members can be Indian or any nationality—it doesn’t matter. What matters is that they are certified to operate anywhere in the world. So whether an airline is from the UK, Morocco, or the Middle East, we can provide ready-to-fly, certified crew members.
ADU. And is this a new initiative for CITA, or have you been doing this internationally for some time?
Prithvi. We’ve been doing this for a while. CITA is not a new company—our recruitment operations are well-established. What’s new is the scale of demand we’re seeing from outside India. In fact, here in Dubai we’ve begun recruiting for charter operators as well within the UAE. They need experienced crew for private and business aviation, and we’ve become their point of contact.
ADU. How has the response been at the Dubai Airshow?
Prithvi. Exceptional. Over the first three days, we had more than 1,000 visitors at our booth. Many decision-makers, including several Sheikhs, visited us. It was also a proud moment because CITA is the only recruitment company exhibiting at the Airshow. So many Indians settled in the UAE—especially captains working with Emirates and Etihad—were delighted to meet us. They felt proud that an Indian aviation recruitment company was representing itself on a global stage.
ADU. That’s impressive visibility. And your operations are all managed from India?
Prithvi. Yes. Our main office is in Delhi, where both our R&D and corporate functions operate. Being based in India yet working with global airlines is something we take pride in—it reinforces the strength of the Indian aviation workforce.
CITA’s presence at the Dubai Airshow marks a significant step forward not only for the company but also for India’s aviation talent ecosystem development. With airlines around the world facing a shortage of trained crew and captains, CITA has positioned itself as a trusted recruitment partner capable of delivering EASA-certified professionals across markets. Their success at the Airshow—drawing thousands of visitors and international decision-makers—underscores the growing recognition of India as a hub for skilled aviation personnel. Under the leadership of professionals like Prithvi, CITA continues to bridge the gap between global staffing needs and highly trained aviation talent, strengthening the industry’s human capital foundation worldwide.
As told to Sangeeta Saxena / Interview was taken at Dubai Airshow 2025
