I guess it’s not just Australia either, this is also from last week.
A pilot shortage across Canada is causing some regional carriers to cancel flights, put less experienced pilots in the cockpit and has even had an impact on some air ambulance services.
A combination of factors is causing the shortage — ever-increasing air travel by Canadians, a shortage around the world and a large number of pilots reaching retirement.
A soon-to-be released report by the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace says Canada should be producing an extra 300 pilots a year to meet demand of a growing air travel industry.
Furthermore, the report warns demand for new hires for expansion and replacement of retirees could mean a shortfall of 6,000 pilots by 2036.
"Having fewer and fewer pilots to draw from, sooner or later the operators are going to have to start cutting routes," said Mike Doiron, an aviation consultant and CCAA representative.
Northern airlines cancel flights as Canada faces shortage of 6,000 pilots
ANALYSIS: WestJet at 20: Grown-up airline, grown-up problems
"Those seats are going to be sold at a premium because you will have more people wanting those seats, so the end result is the cost of flying, I would suggest, is inevitably going to go up."
Some in the industry say flight schools should be producing twice as many pilots to meet demand.
New federal rules around pilot fatigue could make the problem worse as airlines may have to hire substantially more pilots to maintain current flight schedules, industry representatives and observers say
The Indians are trying to fix their shortage;
Indian carriers are grappling with the pilot shortage and to stop them from migrating abroad, they have opportunities across the world primarily from West Asian carriers where income is tax free, airlines have no choice but to bear the extra burden of surcharge in addition to the tax,” said an executive of a private airline.
From today’s Irish Times;
RYANAIR pilots at each of the Irish airline’s 15 UK bases have voted to accept pay increases of up to 20 percent just months after rejecting the same deal last year.
The U-turn follows Ryanair’s decision to recognise unions for the first time after it was forced to cancel 20,000 flights last Autumn over a shortage of stand-by pilots.
The pilots originally rejected the offer late last year over concerns about pilot staffing and employment terms and conditions.
And over in the USA they have sign on bonuses for First Officers;
The signing bonuses of up to $45,000 will go to pilots who already have a solid record and Part 121 commercial airline experience, Wilson said.
“The actual amount offered will vary by candidate, but someone with a clean training record, reliable attendance and at least 600 hours of Part 121 experience can earn a check for $45,000 when they walk through the door,” he added.
The smart Airlines will lock in their crew to ride out the next few years and capitalise on the higher ticket prices that will become the norm.