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 allocated $80 million over four years for pilot workforce development, part of a broader $240 million fund for aviation careers under the new FAA Reauthorization Act.
The existence of a "pilot shortage" is a point of contention, with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) calling it a "myth" and blaming airline management, while regional carriers and some politicians maintain the shortage persists.
A portion of the new aviation workforce development funding is specifically designated to support 'underrepresented populations' in the aviation sector, as advocated by Senator Raphael Warnock.

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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.