NEW DELHI, Feb 15: About 25 pilots were barred from flying in India last year because of their poor English, the aviation agency said on Thursday, urging airlines to improve safety in increasingly crowded skies.

“About 560 foreign pilots fly planes in Indian skies and in the past one year between 20 and 25 pilots who approached us for the validation of their licences were sent back,” Director-General for Civil Aviation Kanu Gohain said.

“They were mainly from east European countries, the Commonwealth of Independent States and Indonesia,” Gohain told a flight safety seminar.

“Proficiency in English is a major requirement as it is the globally-used aviation language,” Gohain said, warning India's mushrooming low-cost airlines to focus on safety.

Penal action will be taken if airline operators violate safety norms.—AFP