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 saw an unprecedented pilot hiring boom at major airlines, leading to rapid internal advancements and setting new hiring records.
This surge in demand caused a critical pilot shortage at regional airlines, forcing them to implement massive, often record-breaking, pay increases to retain and attract pilots.
The dramatic pay increases have made the traditional regional airline cost structure unsustainable, suggesting the current model is nearing its end.
The author proposes a radical industry restructure where major airlines absorb regional pilots and operations into their mainline seniority lists to ensure stable staffing.

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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.