fbpx

Stratus Financial

100 Bayview Cir. Suite 100 Newport Beach, CA 92660
pilot shortage
Union-2.png
pilot shortage

How airlines around the world are tackling pilot shortages

As the United States begins to recover from the pandemic, airlines are facing a new challenge: a shortage of pilots. Thousands of experienced pilots have retired or taken leave in the past two years, and airlines are now scrambling to find new recruits. However, there are still obstacles to becoming a pilot, even as initiatives are being put in place to smooth the path for new recruits.

 

The demand for passengers has exploded in recent months, causing many carriers to reduce their fleets and cut their networks. This has left smaller cities across the country without vital air service connectivity. The reason for this is that there are not enough qualified staff to meet the demand. The National Air Carriers Association, which represents low-cost carriers as well as cargo airlines that conduct both scheduled and charter services, says it expects the USA to experience a shortage of 28,000 flight deck personnel over the next decade. This is due to a number of factors, including an aging workforce and a need for more interest from young people in the industry. The problem is compounded by the fact that it takes a long time to train a pilot, and the number of pilots who are eligible to retire is increasing. Airlines are working hard to address the issue, but it is a difficult problem to solve.

 

The pilot shortage is a major issue for the airline industry, and stakeholders are looking for ways to increase the pilot supply. Future and Active Pilot Advisors say that this year, airlines are projected to hire more than 13,000 pilots, which is a new record. However, airlines say that not enough people are entering the career field, and the barriers to entry are high. Therefore, it is logical that stakeholders across the industry are looking at how they can rapidly increase the pilot supply by tweaking the way pilots are trained.US airlines are beginning to offer more “pathway programs” and partnerships with flight schools to help potential pilot candidates achieve their career goals in response to the upcoming pilot shortage crisis.

 

Pathway programs such as the following:

 

  • Aspiring pilots can apply with no flight experience and be promised a route to the commercial flight deck
  • A fraction of simulator hours can be credited towards the 1,500 flight hours requirements
  • Multi-Crew Pilot license that efficiently and effectively train pilots on a specific type of aircraft, in a multi-crew setting for a specific airline

Everyone involved in aviation agrees that the most important goal is to train the next generation of safe, competent pilots. However, they cannot agree on the best way to achieve this, so the student pilots whose careers are at stake are stuck in a holding pattern. Airline-managed ab initio pilot pathway programs have given candidates more options, but unless the rules change, these programs will not help them progress quickly into a commercial cockpit. Bagden emphasizes that there are many enhancements to training that go above and beyond the minimum standards that were established by the FAA. He hopes that simulator time will be credited, but regardless, the airline is going to procure simulator devices because they make training better, pilots better, and lead to safer outcomes.

Related Blogs

JetBlue Pilots Agree to Contract Extension

The Airline Industry Struggles to Regain Altitude

Pilot Shortage Leads to Reduction of American Airlines Flights to Three Cities

Pilot Shortage Leads to Diminished Air Service at 76% of US Airports

How to create a budget for flight training?

The Cost of Flight Training: How Financing Can Help You Achieve Your Dream of Becoming a Pilot

What are the long-term financial benefits of flight training?

How to prepare for a long-haul flight as a pilot?

5 Tips for Financing Your Flight Hours: How to Budget and Save Money on Pilot Training

Why students should finance their student loans with Stratus Financial

Aviation Recruitment Reaches Unprecedented Heights in October

15 Things to do as a Private Pilot

Breaking Barriers: Women in Aviation Lead the Way Amidst Pilot Shortage

How much do airline pilots make?

United Airlines Pilots Get Pay Raise as Global Travel Disruption Continues

How is a pilot’s salary calculated?

2.1 million new commercial aviation personnel needed

Pilot pay increased as hiring battle heats up

Pilot Pay Raises at PSA Airlines, Piedmont, and Envoy

American Airlines offers competitive pay raise to pilots

Envoy Air Offers New Bonus for Experienced First Officers

Airline Pilots Demand Higher Wages and Better Treatment

Things I Wish I Knew as a Student Pilot

How airlines around the world are tackling pilot shortages

Airlines Struggle to Keep Up With Pilot Shortage

Air travel is picking up. Now the airlines have to play catch up.

Career Pilot Demand Forecast for 2023

Pilot in demand for the next 20 years

Competitors seek pilots from distressed airlines

The Shortage of Pilots Around the World is a Big Concern

Airlines have Doubled Pay, and There’s No Better Time to Becoming a Pilot

Historic Pilot Shortage Encourages Flight Schools To Fill The Gap

Mother-Daughter Take On The Skies As Part of Southwest Airlines

American Airlines Make Flight School More Affordable and Accessible

Invest On Your Future: How Much Does It Take To Become A Pilot?

Get Started On Your Books: The Top Five Things To Study In Advance

More Pilots Needed: Airlines Turn to Diverse Crew

5 Helpful Techniques To Become A Pilot

Things you should do before signing up for a flight school

Frontier Airlines launching a pilot program for new generation pilots

Be Prepared: The Challenges Of Being A Pilot

Staff Shortage in Airport across the country

5 Safety Spotlight Pilot Tips

Tips to help you fly like a PRO

What do the stripes on a pilot’s uniform mean in the US?

Protecting yourself from online fraud

Benefits Increase as The Demand for Pilots Grow

Thinking of Cosigning A Private Student Loan? Here are five things you should know!

We Need Pilots: Travel Demand Skyrockets From Regional Airlines

5 tips for building your FICO score to apply for Stratus loans!

Managing Student Loan Debt

Understanding Interest and Capitalization

What is a credit report and why is it important when applying for Stratus Loans?

A guide on how to formulate a plan based on borrowing and repaying

Understanding Private Student Loans and How Stratus Can Help You!

Managing Your Student Loan Tax Benefits and Forms To Save You Money

You Just Closed On Your Loan or Thinking About Closing On Your Loan With Stratus: How to Pay it Off FAST

Student Pilot Financial Basics: Start Here to Understand Financing Your Student Pilot Loans

How Stratus Works With Flight Schools to Achieve Their Students’ Aviation Dreams

Six Opportunities Await You If You Become a Pilot in the US

Federal Reserve Rate Increase Explained and How You As A Student Will Be Affected

A Quick Guide on the Types of Pilot Certifications in the US

You need this CREDIT SCORE to get approved for a private student loan

School Partnerships at Stratus

Student Loans – What You Need To Know