This summer, airline passengers can continue to expect record flight cancellations as the aviation industry endures one of the largest pilot shortages to date.
During the Pandemic, many pilots chose retirement while others left the industry completely. The airline industry also mandates pilots retire at the age of 65 regardless if they are full capable to continue to fly. The lack of pilots is causing the airlines in the United States to struggle to meet the current flight demands.
During the pandemic, airlines scrambled to find ways to cut losses and many did so by laying off thousands of younger pilots and offering early retirement to its more senior crews. What has become clear is that airlines failed to recognize that the pipeline of pilots coming through the regional airlines would soon begin to move very slowly.
In 2009, congress raised the minimum flight hours to 1,500 for those interested in a position at a regional airline. This made getting into the career far more costly to meet the required hours which deterred many aspiring pilots.
Now with airlines scrambling to find pilots, some regional airlines are looking to the government to lower the required hours needed. A recent petition requests leaders to cut training requirements in half to 750 hours. The airlines feel this would lead to an increase in job applications and major airlines would benefit.
It is likely this summer many carriers will continue to cancel flights in droves as pilots remain scarce. Cutting schedules is likely the best way to avoid significant flight cancellations and maintain a strong passenger experience as the summer season goes on.
