The Straits Times Interactive
Aug 19, 2010
Tiger axes flights in midst of pilot shortage
Experts say industry upturn could worsen manpower squeeze
By Karamjit Kaur
A PILOT shortage has forced budget carrier Tiger Airways to axe flights in recent weeks.
In the four days up to yesterday, it cancelled at least 10 flights to destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Chennai in India, going by information on Changi Airport's website.
A key cause of the shortage, one likely to affect other airlines as well, is the strong recovery in the aviation industry, which is jacking up demand for cockpit crew.
The Straits Times understands that Tiger has lost more than 20 of its pilots in a wave of resignations since June.
With airlines riding on the recovery to go on hiring sprees, it has become a job hunter's market not only for flight crew, but also for aircraft engineers and technicians.
Remuneration varies from airline to airline, but anecdotal evidence suggests that the Tiger pilots who have left are earning up to 30 per cent more in their new jobs.
To ease the manpower crunch, Tiger, which has about 100 pilots left, has turned to Indonesia's Mandala Airlines for short-term help. Both are partly owned by the United States-based investment firm Indigo Partners.
When contacted, neither carrier would confirm the pilot transfers.
Of the flight cancellations, Tiger's spokesman pointed out that an airline may disrupt services not just because of a manpower squeeze, but also for reasons such as safety and technical issues.
The spokesman said that despite the current shortfall, the airline is confident of attracting new pilots to support its growth.
Another airline hit by the buoyant job market is Philippine Airlines. As many as 25 pilots have walked out, some without serving their required termination notices, to join other carriers.
Experts warn the manpower crunch could worsen.
The training arm of aircraft maker Boeing, which runs 17 campuses globally, estimates that 448,000 new pilots will be needed in the next 20 years to support fleet growth and to replace retiring pilots.
About a third are expected to be based in the Asia-Pacific, said its chief customer officer, Mr Roei Ganzarski. There are now about 170,000 pilots worldwide.
The Asia-Pacific spokesman for the International Air Transport Association (Iata) Mr Albert Tjoeng, said: 'The shortage of aviation professionals has always been a concern for the industry...While the economic downturn may have brought a temporary reprieve to the situation, the shortage of aviation professionals is a long-term issue.'
To address this, Iata is working on several initiatives, including new and more efficient pilot training programmes, and looking into making the industry more attractive to those joining the workforce.
All airlines contacted by The Straits Times said they are actively recruiting.
Dubai-based Emirates plans to hire more than 700 first officers and an unspecified number of aircraft engineers in the next 1-1/2 years. Cathay Pacific, which has announced plans to add more flights to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France and Japan, said recruiting new pilots is not an issue, a shortage of engineers is.
A spokesman for Tiger Airways' rival Jetstar said staff attrition rates are normal, and noted that the group has more than 80 new pilot vacancies to fill.
It recently launched a new cadet pilot training programme, which aims to take in up to 70 applicants in the first year.
Malaysia Airlines, which has about 1,500 pilots, 4,000 cabin crew, 3,000 aircraft technicians and 800 engineers, is looking to hire another 200 pilots and 450 cabin crew next year and the year after, said director of operations Mohamed Azharuddin Osman.
He said: 'We have a ready supply of co-pilots, cabin crew, aircraft engineers and technicians. However, it is getting quite challenging to recruit captains.'
On whether salaries are expected to increase as manpower demands intensify, the airlines contacted said they will continue to offer staff competitive packages.
In the end though, it is not just about the money, said Captain Azharuddin: 'While salaries are important, employees are now looking at a holistic package which includes the working environment and the country where the airline is based.'
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Vacancies to fill
PHILIPPINE AIRLINES: As many as 25 pilots have joined other carriers.
EMIRATES: Plans to hire more than 700 first officers and an unspecified number of aircraft engineers in the next 18 months.
CATHAY PACIFIC: No problem recruiting pilots, but cites a shortage of engineers.
JETSTAR: Has more than 80 new pilot vacancies to fill.
MALAYSIA AIRLINES: Looking to hire another 200 pilots and 450 cabin crew next year and the year after.
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