U.S. Airlines Face Growing Pilot Shortage, Threatening Air Travel
U.S. airlines are on the brink of a major problem as the pilot shortage continues to worsen, posing significant challenges that extend far beyond initial perceptions. While the pandemic prompted airlines to offer early retirements and buy-outs to pilots and essential workers, aiming to manage costs during a turbulent period for the industry, the consequences are now becoming more apparent.
As vaccination rates increased, travel restrictions eased, and people grew more comfortable flying again, airlines experienced a surge in demand. However, the shortage of available pilots and essential crew members has become a primary reason for the record-breaking number of flight cancellations and delays witnessed in 2021 and early 2022.
The issue compounds further when pilots fall ill with COVID-19. The lack of available replacements exacerbates the situation, hindering the training of the next generation of pilots—a costly and time-consuming process.
Recognizing the gravity of the problem, airlines have begun investing in the recruitment of new pilots. Delta, for example, has approved a contract that includes a 34% raise over four years, while United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby predicts that American, Delta, and Southwest collectively plan to hire around 8,000 pilots in 2022.
Despite these efforts, the pilot shortage is expected to worsen in the years to come. The industry faces an impending “tsunami” of retirements, with over half of working pilots reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65 within the next 15 years. Insufficient numbers of younger pilots entering the pipeline intensify the challenge.
The impact of this shortage is already evident, as highlighted by Faye Malarkey Black, president and CEO of the Regional Airline Association, during a House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee hearing. She noted a collapse in air service, with 42 states experiencing reduced airline service compared to pre-pandemic levels. Moreover, 136 airports have lost at least a quarter of their service, and 11 airports connecting smaller cities to major hubs have seen complete flight suspensions. Regional airlines face the issue of having over 500 idle planes due to a lack of pilots, resulting in a 40% reduction in flight operations.
The path to securing enough pilots faces significant obstacles. It requires substantial time to accumulate the necessary flight hours, often through cargo flights and small-scale services. Additionally, the cost of obtaining certification can amount to $80,000, with total expenses reaching $200,000 when factoring in a bachelor’s degree. Unlike other professions, such as doctors or lawyers, pilot training programs do not have access to additional lending available through graduate aid programs to cover these higher costs.
The looming pilot shortage poses a critical threat to the future of air travel. Addressing this issue requires collaborative efforts between industry stakeholders, policymakers, and training programs to develop sustainable solutions, increase accessibility to pilot training, and ensure a sufficient supply of qualified pilots to meet the growing demand.