Summary
- Pilot hiring in the US airline industry has slowed down in recent months, with a decline of 11% in September and October compared to last year.
- Cargo airlines like FedEx and UPS, which experienced high demand during the pandemic, have also not hired new pilots in the last several months.
- While US carriers will still hire more pilots this year than last, there is a need for more captains specifically, as airlines struggle to find experienced pilots for the role.
The cyclical nature of the airline industry was on full display during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and even now with the fluctuations in hiring trends, particularly for positions inside the cockpit. Not too long ago, US airlines went on a pilot hiring spree, but recent trends suggest that it has hit a plateau in recent months.
Pilot hiring slows down
The COVID-19 pandemic was particularly challenging for airline pilots, many of whom were either laid off or sent on temporary suspension. While it was assumed that re-hiring would take place once the pandemic subsided, airlines actually went all out to hire new pilots in a post-pandemic network and fleet expansion program.
Photo: Mikhalis Makarov | Shutterstock
US airlines, in particular, saw a great demand for cockpit crew and handed out new offer letters and contracts to attract the best talents in the industry. And while pilot hiring continues, the latest trends show that it has leveled off in the last couple of months.
Data from the pilot advisory group Future and Active Pilot Advisors (FAPA) shows that pilot hiring dipped by 11% in September and October this year compared to last. But the decline in pilot hiring this year has been going on for longer.
June saw the fewest pilots being hired among all major US airlines at 958. In September, 1,001 pilots were hired, while October saw a marginal increase of 114 pilots. As the dust begins to settle on the post-pandemic aviation boom, some airlines are also evaluating the current situation. For instance, Spirit Airlines recently said it is pausing pilot and cabin crew training due to disappointing third-quarter results.
Similar situations with cargo carriers
The situation for cargo airlines is somewhat similar. Carriers such as FedEx and UPS made the most of the skyrocketing demand for cargo flights during the pandemic, but business has been slowing down gradually.
Photo: Michal Kowalski | Shutterstock
Both airlines haven’t hired new pilots in months, and FedEx has even suggested its pilots join other carriers in the US. It even released a statement regarding that, which said,
“Given the softness in air cargo demand across the industry and current FedEx flight operations staffing levels, we shared information about this unique opportunity with our pilots.”
More captains needed
The demand for new pilots has leveled off and not stopped completely. US carriers will still end up hiring more pilots this year than last, and some airlines, such as Allegiant, are still aggressively looking for cockpit crew. But it’s essentially the positions of captains that are vacant more than first officers, and airlines are finding it challenging to hire pilots with relevant experience.
Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock
Given the changing dynamics of the airline industry and the hectic schedules, many US senior first officers are increasingly becoming hesitant to be promoted to junior captains because that would once again mean a cycle of unpredictable schedules for many years to come until they become senior captains.
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Source: FAPA