For over a decade there has been an almost complete stop in airline pilot recruitment amongst the major players of the global aviation industry. Although there has been an increasing demand for experienced flight crew, the airlines have been taking almost no low-time pilots onboard. This is about to change, airline pilot recruitment is on the rise. In the United States the hiring boom has already started, with virtually all regional airlines currently recruiting. Even the legacy carriers are starting to open up. When something happens in the US, it is generally reflected worldwide – and especially in Europe. Although it is gradual, it is obvious there is a rise in the demand for pilots also in Europe.
On 17. August 2011 Scandinavian Airlines presented their quarterly results after several consecutive years of losses. This time, however, their savings strategy had been fully implemented, and the result was a profit of around USD 76 million, compared to a loss of USD 70 million for the same period in 2010. That is a jaw dropping rise in profits by USD 146 million. Even so, their CEO Mr. Richard Gustafson confirms that this is just the start – and that there is still work to be done. This follows Scandinavian’s recent announcement of renewed pilot recruitment. The company has not recruited externally for several years, and much of their current flight crew are looking towards retirement within the next few years. Combined with Norwegian Air Shuttle’s continuous expansion in the Northern European market and beyond, as the leading low cost carrier in that region, makes for a solid indication that Boeing and Airbus’s earlier prediction of a pilot shortage is indeed imminent. The Scandinavian airline industry is back on track and recovering, and with it comes a lengthy lag in pilot recruitment that needs to be dealt with, fast.
Also in August, one of the world’s most renowned legacy carriers, British Airways, kicked off their largest ever pilot recruitment drive in over 10 years, saying that they would even provide financing to some candidates, and take on many pre-qualified pilots to man their aircraft. On the eastern side of the continent, Aeroflot has established their own flight school, to train 100 pilots yearly, solely to cover their own demands for pilots – regardless of the rest of Eastern Europe. With the rise in living conditions in many former Eastern Block countries that have recently joined the European Union, air travel is becoming more and more affordable – hence a recent surge in the Eastern European low cost carriers, including airlines such as Air Baltic and Wizzair dominating the market.
The airline industry is cyclical, and we are entering the up-swing of the forthcoming cycle. This is the best time in 30 years to initiate your airline training.
Training continues to be the key.
Start managing your career and fly safe.
