Paper Finds Barriers To Solving Europe's Pilot Shortage

Staffing shortfalls are getting worse in Europe with little collaborative action taking place to address the issue, according to a new white paper issued by aviation recruitment specialist AeroProfessional.

The paper, "Grounded before Takeoff: EU Regional Pilot Shortage Perspective Two Years On," points to a need for 95,000 commercial pilots in Europe by 2034, but said the pilot population is continuing to be strained by increasing demands in other locations, including Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. “Europe’s pilot skills shortage will be further exacerbated by increasing rates of staff poaching and operational disruptions,” AeroProfessional said, noting that 64.6 percent of pilots favor working outside the EU.

The paper points to barriers to recruiting and retaining pilots in Europe, including training costs, type ratings, pay, and conditions. This is exacerbated by mandatory retirement. AeroProfessional sees legacy and flag carriers as the least likely to suffer in the short term because they are offering the best salary/benefits packages and many administer their own cadet programs.

While business aviation might appear to be an appropriate place for pilots to gain experience, “geographical restrictions, lack of work/life balance, typically lower number of regular flying hours, and the wide variety of skills and type ratings required have proven prohibitive,” according to the paper. It notes issues in the U.S. market created by poaching from larger carriers, and said, “Similarities with the EU market tend to mean these regions are impacted by the same trends.”

AeroProfessional stresses a need for cost-effective training, innovative cadet schemes, enhanced inclusion and diversity, and strategic recruitment planning to keep up with staffing requirements.