The aviation industry encountered turbulence because of the crisis caused by the COVID-19. Because of this, many airlines are constantly working to rehire pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff; but. it hasn’t been easy as some positions remain empty.
You may think that the aviation industry is in trouble for having a shortage of pilots as thousands of them have been laid off, while others have decided to retire. But the industry is demanding more pilots which means that the aviation sector is slowly bouncing back. Alpha Aviation Group CEO Bhanu Choudhrie said, “Airlines are going to continue to buy and modernize their fleets. As they do that, they are going to require pilots. The market is getting interesting again and we’re starting to see that upward trend. We’re starting to see airlines come to us and say — look this is my delivery schedule. Can you have pilots ready for me in two years’ time?”
Airlines frequently purchase aircraft years in advance due to the limited production capacity of plane manufacturers. As additional planes are delivered, more pilots will be required to keep the aircraft flying. The A321 XLR, a narrow-body jet with a more extended range could have a crew ratio of up to 18. For older models, only a crew of 10 to 12 is required.
The Boeing Company has estimated that the world would need 600,000 additional pilots over the next two decades. During which time airlines would receive 43,600 new aircraft.
The aviation sector is very resilient because of the travel demands. Many people travel because of business trips, going abroad, migrating, or even for leisure. As the demands go higher, the aviation industry has continued to innovate. One of the things we have now is contactless flights which require lesser physical contact to prevent the coronavirus’s spread.
Aside from the 600,000 pilots, more than 600,000 technicians and almost 900,000 cabin crews will be needed in the future. If you happen to be one of the aspiring pilots, technicians, or cabin crews and if you have been asking for a sign whether to continue or not, this is the sign that you should pursue your wings.
