Over the previous decade we have witnessed a slump in Airlines Hiring pilots, this has been brought about by 4 major factors and with these disappearing I forecast a swing towards a major hiring boom. Some industry researchers are foretelling that we are at the beginning of the most important and longest pilot hiring period in history. Major airlines, business aviation and contract roles for expatriates will be the sectors affected most by this boom.
The 1st factor which will lead on to the turn-around of a rise in Airlines hiring is the mandatory retirement age of sixty-five. Some years ago the age was increased from 60 to sixty-five permitting pilots to resume flying for an additional 5 years as long as they could continue to pass their medical checks. This slowed down the natural attrition and slowed down hiring, now however many pilots are approaching this mandatory age and will soon retire from the industry.
In previous years older generation aircraft which are not as sophisticated as the modern aircraft we see traversing our skies on a regular basis today actually needed three pilots in the cockpit. As these older aircraft were retired to be replaced by aircraft requiring only 2 pilots there were a lot of seats to be filled by the 3rd pilot. Recruitment was needless because of the overstock of pilots. Now that all the slack has been taken up this isn't a factor any longer.
The third reason in the equation has been the astronomical cost of oil. With oil costs no longer around $150 a barrel airlines operating costs have been reduced significantly. This has permitted for expansion and consequentlyy the hiring of more pilots.
The final factor is the turn-about from the slow economic times experienced globally in the past. With the economy improving not merely in the US but most of Asia Pacific as well the requirement for air travel is skyrocketing significantly. All of which indicates to me that the requirement for pilots will grow significantly over the next ten years.
The 1st factor which will lead on to the turn-around of a rise in Airlines hiring is the mandatory retirement age of sixty-five. Some years ago the age was increased from 60 to sixty-five permitting pilots to resume flying for an additional 5 years as long as they could continue to pass their medical checks. This slowed down the natural attrition and slowed down hiring, now however many pilots are approaching this mandatory age and will soon retire from the industry.
In previous years older generation aircraft which are not as sophisticated as the modern aircraft we see traversing our skies on a regular basis today actually needed three pilots in the cockpit. As these older aircraft were retired to be replaced by aircraft requiring only 2 pilots there were a lot of seats to be filled by the 3rd pilot. Recruitment was needless because of the overstock of pilots. Now that all the slack has been taken up this isn't a factor any longer.
The third reason in the equation has been the astronomical cost of oil. With oil costs no longer around $150 a barrel airlines operating costs have been reduced significantly. This has permitted for expansion and consequentlyy the hiring of more pilots.
The final factor is the turn-about from the slow economic times experienced globally in the past. With the economy improving not merely in the US but most of Asia Pacific as well the requirement for air travel is skyrocketing significantly. All of which indicates to me that the requirement for pilots will grow significantly over the next ten years.
About the Author:
At his blog www.pilotsalary.co Steve Brennan debates many issues surrounding the airline industry in relation to pilots. Topics ranging from pilot salary to airlines hiring and many others can be found there.
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