Congress Shells Out Millions to Aid Pilot Shortage

The government will more than triple funding towards pilot recruitment and development efforts.

Ryan Ewing

Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 10:53 AM ET

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An Endeavor Air CRJ-700 aircraft at New York’s LaGuardia airport [Credit: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson]

Key Takeaways:

Congress has allocated $80 million over four years for pilot workforce development, a significant increase from previous funding, as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act's broader $240 million for aviation workforce grants.
There is a strong debate regarding the existence of a pilot shortage; the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) calls it a "myth" blaming airline management, while regional carriers and some politicians maintain that a shortage persists.
A portion of the new funding is designated to support the recruitment and development of pilots from underrepresented populations to promote diversity within the aviation sector.

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Congress will distribute $80 million over the next four years to assist with pilot workforce development. These funds—included as part of the recent FAA Reauthorization Act—represent a substantial increase from the $25 million allocated in 2018.

This additional funding is part of the FAA’s Aviation Workforce Development Grants program, which provides support to aviation-related education programs. The $80 million in pilot development grants is part of a broader $240 million pool intended to also recruit aircraft mechanics and aviation manufacturing workers.