How big is the pilot shortage?


How big is the pilot shortage? Consulting firm Oliver Wyman estimates that despite efforts to close the gap, airlines in North America will face a shortage of nearly 30,000 pilots by 2032. The supply of new pilots will grow, but not enough to offset a continuing wave of retirements, the consultant says. There is cause for hope, however.


Is 35 too late to become a pilot?

What type of pilot you want to become will determine what age would be too old to change careers and start your flight training journey. If you're looking to fly larger jets for a major airline then I would suggest the cut-off date is around 35 years if you are only just starting your training.


Can I still be a pilot at 40?

In the U.S., there are no FAA age limits for pilots except for commercial airline pilots employed by airlines certificated under 14 CFR Part 121. These airlines cannot employ pilots after they reach the age of 65.


Will pilots lose their jobs in the future?

This year's graduating cadre of young cadets could possibly be the last to enjoy full, four-decade careers as traditional commercial airline pilots. By the time they are ready to retire, around 2060, pilot jobs as we currently know them will “start to become obsolete,” according to Richard de Crespigny.


Is there still a pilot shortage 2023?

United Airlines (UAL) - Get Free Report, in particular, has felt the dearth of trained pilots quite acutely. In a March 2023 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the airline named a lack of qualified pilots as one of the reasons for expecting a loss in the first quarter of 2023.


Will there be pilots in 10 years?

Job Outlook Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 16,800 openings for airline and commercial pilots are projected each year, on average, over the decade.


Will pilot salaries decrease?

The industry's pilot shortage is likely to continue for a few years and airlines are negotiating bumper new contracts, which means pay is expected to keep rising. The mounting labor costs will affect the whole sector but impact some airline stocks more than others.


Are pilot salaries going up?

Pilots at American Airlines ratified a new contract that will, among other things, increase pilot compensation by more than 46% over the next four years, the airline announced yesterday (Aug. 21). How will the market react to the impending government shutdown?


How bad is the airline pilot shortage?

A pilot shortage with nearly 15,000 pilots set to retire in the next five years, according to a 2022 study from the Regional Airline Association. Air traffic controller shortage with 10% fewer fully certified air traffic controllers than a decade ago.


Which country has the biggest pilot shortage?

The demand for pilots will be at an all-time high over the next 20 years, according to some industry experts. Most of the expected pilot shortage will be experienced in China and India, with a smaller demand felt in the United States and Middle East.


Will there be pilots in 20 years?

Boeing Forecast Trusted by more than 100 aviation regulatory agencies worldwide, the current Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook concludes that the aviation industry will need to supply more than 602,000 commercial airline pilots worldwide over the next 20 years2.


Do pilots have a future?

Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 18,100 openings for airline and commercial pilots are projected each year, on average, over the decade.


Is it smart to become a pilot right now?

The industry is growing more rapidly than the current rate can meet. Becoming a pilot now puts you at an advantage when that demand is truly here. You'll have seniority and be in demand meaning you'll have a sky full of opportunities!


Is there a pilot shortage in Europe?

Europe. Although other regions require new pilots more urgently than Europe, the problem is still there, and it will gain momentum towards the end of 2024 into 2025, according to the interview by Airways Magazine with Geoff Murray, a partner at Oliver Wyman's global aerospace sector team in April this year.


Will pilots be needed in 2025?

2025 – 34,000 pilots shortage
More than 34,000 newly trained pilots needed by 2025. The FAA predicts that air travel demand will continue to grow at a rate of 4.3 percent per year, even as more than 4,100 pilots per year retire in the US alone.


Will pilots be needed in 10 years?

Despite the short-term decline in the number of active pilots, analysis shows that the civil aviation industry will require more than 260,000 new pilots over the next decade. As air travel resumes progressively over the next several years, the industry will experience upward mandatory retirement and attrition rates.


What is the highest salary of a pilot?

How Much Is An Airline Pilot's Salary?
  • The bottom 25% earn up to $121,000 a year.
  • The middle 50% earn between $121,000 and $298,000 annually.
  • The top 25% earn between $298,000 and $768,000 annually.