Fractional Pilot Furlough Ranks Descending

As they start to see growing demand, fractional aircraft providers are beginning to recall furloughed pilots to fill cockpit vacancies. Last month, Cleveland-based Flight Options recalled eight furloughed pilots to fill open seats in its Citation X fleet. Flight Options CEO Michael Silvestro said the recall “comes as we expand our fleet and increase capacity for our fractional ownership, membership and jet card programs.” While the company–which currently employs 311 pilots–still has 203 pilots on furlough, Silvestro told AIN, “We are continuing to work creatively and diligently every day toward bringing all of our furloughed pilots back to Flight Options as soon as possible.” Meanwhile, CitationAir recalled 14 more furloughed pilots in January.