Many airlines all around the world are finding it difficult to find qualified pilots. As the pent-up appetite for travel post pandemic is increasing, pilots are in short supply.
There have been rumblings of an impending pilot shortage for years.
Transport Canada reports that during a standard year before the pandemic, around 1,100 pilot licences were granted.
However, the demand for air travel plummeted in 2020, leading to a significant decline in newly-licensed pilots. Government data reveals that fewer than 500 licences were issued in 2020, a number that further dropped to a low of just 238 last year.
Photo via EVAS Air
Pat White, President and CEO of Gander Flight Training, says a lack of pilots is a problem that is going to be with us for years and we’re seeing some of the consequences now.
White highlights the daily occurrence of flight cancellations due to a shortage of crews, which has wreaked havoc on airlines. Moreover, the industry is struggling to meet the demands of charters and other specialty flights, exacerbating the situation caused by the lack of available crew members.
