As the aviation industry has left the pandemic behind, the battle for qualified pilots continues. A shortage of pilots is preventing airlines from providing the required air services to hundreds of markets. For these smaller and often underserved communities, the lack of commercial air services has reached a critical point.
On July 25, 2022, Representatives Chip Roy (R-Texas) and Senator Lindsey Graham (S.C.) announced the “Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act,” which would help alleviate some of the pilot shortage by raising the mandatory retirement age for commercial pilots from 65 to 67.
However, around six months later, no progress was made in implementing this legislative proposal. This lack of urgency on such a critical issue is difficult to understand given what is at stake.
Fewer pilots mean fewer flights at a time of increasing demand, which means higher fares. This holiday season, the average airfare is at a five-year high, right after an incredible 43 percent increase in October air prices compared to the previous year.
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), as many, if not more, people are flying today as in 2019 (before the pandemic began). This places a greater burden on airports, airlines, airline employees, and the TSA, as each group is dealing with more passengers.
There are also fewer flights now than in 2019, meaning that more people are being pushed onto fewer flights. It also means that in times of irregular operations, such as a winter storm, agents have fewer seats available to accommodate stranded travelers. It is an ongoing operational challenge, and more pilots would certainly help.
Lack of action has also forced regional airlines to take desperate measures, as Envoy Air, Piedmont Airlines and PSA Airlines have offered qualified pilots a $100,000 signing bonus. These and other regional airlines have hundreds of parked aircraft that they are unable to bring back into service due to a lack of experienced pilots.
Mesa Airlines, another regional airline, has purchased 29 Cessna two-seater aircraft, which they can use in their pilot development program. This fast-paced, expedited program will help pilots earn the necessary 1,500 flight hours to serve as professional pilots while sitting in a Cessna.
Wouldn’t it be better to raise the enforced retirement age from 65 to 67 in order to keep qualified employees on the flight deck?
Life expectancy continues to rise, and studies predict that life expectancy will reach 80 years by 2030 as the focus remains on health. The average pilot aged 65 is now in far better health than a pilot from the 1950s or 1960s, which is another reason for extending the mandatory retirement age for pilots.
The lack of measures in times of crisis has led to higher flight prices and less cockpit experience. If it is true that safety is our top priority in aviation, it is clear that this legislation should be passed as soon as possible. It won’t completely solve the pilot shortage problem, but it will provide the necessary help to the traveling public and communities that depend on commercial air services.
Plus, it’s always good to have more experience in the front seats.
Jay Ratliff spent over 20 years in the management of Northwest/Republic Airlines, including as general manager for aviation. He is an iHeart aviation analyst.