Do airlines still need pilots?

More than 500 planes belonging to regional airlines are sitting idle without enough pilots to fly them, and those that do fly are used as much as 40% less than in the past. Most airlines have yet to fully restore the service cuts they made during the pandemic, even in the face of record bookings at some carriers.



People Also Ask

United Airlines (UAL) - Get Free Report, in particular, has felt the dearth of trained pilots quite acutely. In a March 2023 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the airline named a lack of qualified pilots as one of the reasons for expecting a loss in the first quarter of 2023.

MORE DETAILS

The region could face a shortage of 3,000 pilots by 2023 and 18,000 by 2032. Europe currently is in surplus and we expect it to remain so until the middle of the decade, but then forecast a shortage of 19,000 pilots by 2032, driven predominately by increased demand.

MORE DETAILS

Job Outlook Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 16,800 openings for airline and commercial pilots are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

MORE DETAILS

Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 18,100 openings for airline and commercial pilots are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

MORE DETAILS

Over the coming years, there are likely to be many opportunities to work as a pilot. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of airline and commercial pilot positions to grow 13% by 2030 . This is faster than the expected average career growth.

MORE DETAILS

Job Outlook
Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 18,100 openings for airline and commercial pilots are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

MORE DETAILS

Continental Growth In the 2019 outlook, CAE reported the need for more than 91,000 pilots in Asia Pacific, 65,000 pilots in North America, 16,000 in South America, 42,000 in Europe, 25,000 in the Middle East, and 4,000 in Africa.

MORE DETAILS

The USA is one of the top countries for flight training. It is home to some of the world's oldest and most reputed universities and training institutions. It is also globally acknowledged for its flight education curriculum.

MORE DETAILS

Is being a pilot worth it in 2023? In terms of job security, becoming a pilot is a very safe bet. With the world's ever-growing population, the demand for air travel will only increase.

MORE DETAILS

2025 – 34,000 pilots shortage
More than 34,000 newly trained pilots needed by 2025. The FAA predicts that air travel demand will continue to grow at a rate of 4.3 percent per year, even as more than 4,100 pilots per year retire in the US alone.

MORE DETAILS

Where previous Oliver Wyman forecasts predicted a gap between supply and demand of nearly 30,000 in 2032, we now anticipate a smaller shortfall of 17,000. In 2023 and 2024, that gap is also at about 17,000. The biggest spread between supply and demand is now expected in 2026 when we project it reaches 24,000.

MORE DETAILS

Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 18,100 openings for airline and commercial pilots are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

MORE DETAILS

Over the coming years, there are likely to be many opportunities to work as a pilot. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of airline and commercial pilot positions to grow 13% by 2030 . This is faster than the expected average career growth.

MORE DETAILS

In the current estimate for 2021-2040, over the next two decades 612,000 new pilots will be required worldwide, with 130,000 of these in North America, primarily the U.S.. Expectations are similar for other staff in the aviation industry such as mechanics and cabin crew, as the whole market expands.

MORE DETAILS

Job Outlook Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 16,800 openings for airline and commercial pilots are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

MORE DETAILS

Most likely not, as the pilot was always meant to be actively involved in flying operations.

MORE DETAILS

The demand for pilots is set to soar in the coming years. Boeing's 2022 Pilot & Technician Outlook forecasts a need for 626,000 new pilots by 2040, as airlines and operators continue to expand their fleets and networks.

MORE DETAILS

Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 16,800 openings for airline and commercial pilots are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

MORE DETAILS

Consulting firm Oliver Wyman estimates that despite efforts to close the gap, airlines in North America will face a shortage of nearly 30,000 pilots by 2032. The supply of new pilots will grow, but not enough to offset a continuing wave of retirements, the consultant says. There is cause for hope, however.

MORE DETAILS

Job Outlook
Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 18,100 openings for airline and commercial pilots are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

MORE DETAILS

In the U.S., there are no FAA age limits for pilots except for commercial airline pilots employed by airlines certificated under 14 CFR Part 121. These airlines cannot employ pilots after they reach the age of 65.

MORE DETAILS