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 | Shortage of pilots hits airline industry
THE shortage of pilots across Australia has become so acute some airlines are
being forced to scour the former Eastern Bloc for recruits, while others are
being forced to reduce the number of routes they fly. |
THE shortage of pilots across Australia has become so acute some airlines are
being forced to scour the former Eastern Bloc for recruits, while others are
being forced to reduce the number of routes they fly.
After blaming Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Blue for "raiding" regional
airlines, flying schools and aviation businesses, the country's second-largest
regional airline, Rex, became so desperate it sent its chief pilot to Ukraine in
July to look for recruits.
"We did not have a lot of luck. We did have a problem with language," said
the airline's chief of staff, Jim Davis, noting the airline would look for
pilots in English-speaking countries.
With the shortage being blamed on the growth of airlines in Australia and
Asia, some aviation businesses have closed.
Mr Davis said Rex had lost 20 per cent of its pilots in the past three months
to larger airlines, compared to the 18 per cent that left last financial year.
Rex says its pilot shortage had lifted its cancellation rates to four times
historic levels and it will have to stop flying on some routes if the problem
continues.
He predicted 1800 airline pilots would be needed in the next two years to
keep up with Australia's airline industry. On average, only 380 airline pilot
licences are granted each year.
Qantas estimates it will need 300 pilots in the next two years. Jetstar says
it will need 200. Virgin Blue, which has 561, says it will "need several
hundred" more over the next five years.
Australian Federation of Air Pilots industrial relations manager Lawrie Cox
said within the next year some airlines would not be able to service smaller
routes in regional and remote areas. |
