May

An Upturn in Pilot Recruitment?

Will

Are we about to face an upturn in pilot recruitment?”

A successful period at flight school should place newly qualified pilots in a fantastic position. Keen to get into the exciting world of commercial flying, there is, however, always the pressing issue of uptake and recruitment.

Like all industries, aviation has felt the aftershock of the global financial downturn, with aircraft manufacturers and carriers directly affected.

Also, people are increasingly aware of environmental debates; fuel costs continue to fluctuate, and customers remain cautious with their cash.

That said, economic downturns commonly increase competitiveness and result in airline mergers, such as that agreed earlier this month between United Airlines and Continental Airlines.

Having a fitter, more technologically superior industry will prove essential for the creation of future jobs for pilots. The hope is that in the face of such stiff competition, the industry then becomes more efficient and more competitive.

Also on the positive side, Chinese travel markets are expanding thanks to the population’s increasing level of personal wealth. Emerging countries are also competing for foreign investment, and realize that without the adequate infrastructure (airports, operators, pilots, ground crew etc.) their own economies will never take off.

Added to this, we have a new generation of planes about to take to the air. The Boeing 747-8, soon to be delivered, is 16 per cent more fuel-efficient than the company’s 747-400 model, and in some way counters environmental criticisms.

The rivalry between Boeing and Airbus is a further example of how competitiveness continues to drive and shape our industry. And with the all-new Airbus A-380 now entering service, there will always be a need for recently qualified pilots, trained and ready to fly the most advanced airframes.

Volcanic interruptions aside, air passage remains the only viable and reliable way to cross continents. And thanks to its incredible safety record and global reach, the airline business will surely be one of the first to benefit from the economic recovery.

Recruitment then should be strong – even more so for those pilots keen to embrace what are truly global opportunities.