Game Over for Regional Airlines?

The regionals need pilots with experience to operate but such pilots are suddenly in huge demand by major airlines.

Friday, November 04, 2022 at 08:56 AM ET

Verified

Regionals are competing head to head with the majors for qualified crews to fully staff their routes. [Courtesy: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

2022 was a record-breaking year for pilot hiring at major airlines, far exceeding expectations and accelerating career progression for pilots.
This high demand led to an unsustainable attrition crisis at regional airlines, traditionally a lower-paid feeder system for major carriers.
To combat pilot shortages, regional airlines were forced to implement dramatic pay raises, with some new-hire and captain salaries now rivaling or even surpassing initial major airline pay rates.
The author suggests these changes make the traditional regional airline model unsustainable and proposes major airlines integrate regional operations and pilots under a single seniority system.

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When I started V1 Rotate late last year, it had already become apparent that the COVID-19 pandemic was going to become a footnote in aviation history, a momentary blip in an era of strong opportunity for professional pilots.

My employer had resumed hiring, as had every other airline and most flight departments and Part 135 and 91K operators. Flight training was proceeding apace, and United had just opened its new Aviate Academy. The coming year seemed likely to eclipse 2019 in terms of both training and hiring, but otherwise represent an evolution of the ongoing pilot shortage.