The United States is facing a pilot shortage, which is forcing airlines to reduce flights just as travel statistics show an increase, after more than two years of declining traveling activity, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The shortage is approaching crisis levels as lawmakers consider legislation that could raise the federally mandated retirement age for airline pilots from 65 to 67. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R), is considering introducing legislation that could raise the mandatory retirement age to 67 years, according to people familiar with Graham’s plans. Approximately one third of airline pilots in the U.S. are between the ages of 51 and 59, and 13% of the country’s airline pilots will reach retirement age within five years. This is according to the Regional Airline Association.
Other ideas to address the shortage include reducing the flight hour requirements and lowering the required standards for hire. Delta Air Lines aligned with other air-carriers in suggesting the government drop the four-year degree requirement for hiring pilots.
The proposals for revising hiring mandates has received pushback from family members of victims of 2009′s Colgan Air 3407 crash, the last fatal U.S. passenger commercial airline crash. The crash killed 49 passengers and made way for the so-called 1,500 hour rule, intended to ensure pilot experience before flying commercial passenger flights.
The Covid pandemic created an unfortunate perfect storm. It halted pilot hiring just as training and licensing eased. Then airlines issued early retirement packages to thousands of pilots to cut labor bills, when travel demand saw a shortfall. Now airlines are in desperate need to hire pilots, but the training and onboarding process may take too long to avoid flight cuts.
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