Why One European Airline Has a Surplus of Applicants During a Pilot Shortage

Norse Atlantic Airways CEO says timing and equipment has been the key to early success.

Michael Wildes

Thursday, June 02, 2022 at 08:04 AM ET

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Norse Atlantic Airway has nine Boeing 787 aircraft with more to come. [Courtesy: Norse Atlantic Airways]

Key Takeaways:

A new European low-cost transatlantic airline, Norse Atlantic Airways, is experiencing a surplus of pilot applicants, having strategically launched during the pandemic to acquire assets and routes cheaply.
In stark contrast, U.S. airlines are struggling with significant pilot shortages, training backlogs, and elevated attrition rates despite record demand.
This has prompted U.S. carriers to relax hiring criteria (e.g., degree requirements) and invest heavily in expanding pilot training infrastructure to address the workforce constraint.

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While U.S. airlines can’t seem to hire pilots fast enough, a new European low-cost transatlantic airline said more than 3,000 pilots applied for the 50 available positions it recently posted.

Bjorn Tore Larsen, founder, and CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways, whose airline will begin long-haul service between Europe and North America this month, recently shared his company’s “problem” with the BBC.