Worldwide Pilot Shortage ?
Jetstar are seeking to recruit an extra 150 pilots. Picture: Rob Baird Source: Herald Sun
JETSTAR is launching a campaign to recruit an extra 150 pilots for its rapidly expanding operations, clearing the way for dissatisfied Qantas pilots to transfer and Tiger's disgruntled counterparts to apply.
The budget carrier's chief executive Bruce Buchanan said the offer -- first reported in the Herald Sun yesterday -- was open to pilots worldwide but confirmed that Jetstar had updated an industrial agreement with the pilots union to allow smooth transfer from its parent Qantas.
The move comes as Tiger Airways looks set to get back into the air next week, with a Federal Court hearing yesterday put off as unnecessary, in agreement with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
A formal announcement that Tiger has been cleared to fly after August 1 is likely within the next 72 hours, as the airline and CASA finalise reviewed pilot training procedures.
Tiger is expected to resume passenger services late next week.The move to recruit an extra 150 pilots for Jetstar in Australia, New Zealand and Asia comes in the midst of a worldwide shortage of pilots.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce confirmed the flag carrier bore an excess of about 80 positions among its 2700 pilots because it had not cut back pilots positions during the global financial crisis.
He was pleased to give individuals, particularly first officers, an opportunity to gain promotion at Jetstar.
Both airlines said the base pay for pilots -- around $110,000 for a Jetstar wide-bodied aircraft first officer and $190,000 for a captain -- were about equal and consistent with international standards.
Mr Buchanan said Jetstar needed flexibility on hours within its pilot workforce, due to seasonal variations in its holiday traffic.
He said experienced Qantas pilots wishing to scale down their hours as they approached retirement would be welcome to apply as Airbus A320 and A330 pilots, as would first officers and others seeking promotion.
The Australian and International Pilots Association, which approved the recent extension of the Qantas-Jetstar transfer arrangement as part of its enterprise agreement, was positive over the move.