The UK is looking for Pilots
Authorities have the fear that the number of flights will not be back to the way it was pre-pandemic after 19 devastating months due to Covid-19
According to The Telegraph, hundreds of airline crew had either retired or changed their career after the pandemic. Britain will face a shortage of pilots once full flights schedules are resumed, with many of the pilots needing retraining.
The possibility of a shortfall in pilots affecting flight numbers is the main concern for ministers. Experts believe the industry will face a global shortage of around 34,000 pilots by 2025.
The Telegraph reported, based on aviation sources, that the percentage of retired pilots had at least doubled during the pandemic comparing to previous years after many were given furlough or offered redundancy packages.
Martin Chalk, the acting general secretary of the British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA), confirmed that the aviation industry is also worried about the pilot’s shortage. Another problem was that many pilots are now in need of retraining before they are able to fly commercial planes again.
Mr. Chalk told the Telegraph: “I have only reached my mid-50s, but I took early retirement last summer because a voluntary redundancy package was being offered.”
Mr. Chalk also added: “We have a large number of pilots out of work but, as things speed up and airlines seek to recruit, there is a concern that many have left the profession that we end up with a shortfall.”
To address the number of pilots who will be needing additional training and flying time before they can fly commercial planes again, Mr. Chalk said: “We are calling on the Government to help airlines re-skill and reinvest in resilience so that particularly next spring, as the work ramps up as we hope it will, there is actually the crew there to fly.” as airlines’ finances have already been devastated by the pandemic.
An analysis by consultancy firm Oliver Wyman, drawn up earlier this year, “Most likely scenarios, there is a global gap of 34,000 pilots by 2025. This could be as high as 50,000 in the most extreme scenarios.”
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