Looming Pilot Supply, Shortage and Proposed Solutions

A pilot shortage issue has been raised several times over the past few decades, although several things have continued to change, such as the growing demand for air travel, fewer pilots in training, and the increased time required to become eligible to fly for airlines. Recent research and industry reports have identified a larger gap in the expected shortage of pilots. This finding is verified through the United States Federal Aviation Administration’s Civil Airmen data. The key finding is that the gap between available pilots and airline needs continues to widen. Regional airlines have considered pay to be an issue and have made adjustments, however, this is likely to be only a shortterm solution. The COVID-19 pandemic may have delayed some of the issues, however. This paper details the historic and current challenges the industry faces with pilot availability, provides future projections, and outlines potential solutions that may help address the shortage.