The pilot shortage experienced in 2023 is a multifaceted issue driven by increased air service demand, an aging pilot workforce, stringent training requirements, and more. Regions such as North America, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East are among those most impacted by the shortage.
How bad is the airline pilot shortage?
There are 1,200 fewer fully certified air traffic controllers in 2023 than a decade ago, according to National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Rich Santa. Additionally, North America is expected to be short nearly 30,000 pilots by 2032, according to consulting firm Oliver Wyman.
Do planes still need pilots?
Nowadays, Federal Aviation Administration regulations make a two-person crew standard. But the FAA also requires that in an emergency, airliners must be capable of being flown by a single pilot.
Do airlines still need pilots?
Are pilots still needed in the future?
Despite the short-term decline in the number of active pilots, analysis shows that the civil aviation industry will require more than 260,000 new pilots over the next decade. As air travel resumes progressively over the next several years, the industry will experience upward mandatory retirement and attrition rates.
Are pilots in high demand?
In the next 20 years, the air travel industry will need 649,000 pilots, which comes out to about 32,000 pilots needed a year. This demand comes from more than 25% of commercial pilots reaching the mandatory retirement age in the next decade, as well as the increased demand for air travel.
Is there a shortage in pilots?
Regarding magnitude, in our most likely scenarios, there is a global gap of 34,000 pilots by 2025. This could be as high as 50,000 in the most extreme scenarios. Eventually, the impact of furloughs, retirements, and defections will create very real challenges for even some of the biggest carriers.
How hard is it to get a job as a pilot?
Most airlines require 1,500 hours of experience before even considering a candidate. This can take several years to obtain, depending on the type of job you get initially. There are ways to fast-track your career, however, and no airline has the exact same hiring standards or process.