Industry Officials Can't Agree on How To Fix the Pilot Shortage

Republic Airways' bid for lower ATP minimums fails to gain industry support, setting off interesting discussions.

Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 08:58 AM ET

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It's becoming difficult to fill pilot chairs on airline aircraft. Leaders differ on how to fix the problem. [File photo: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Regional airline Republic Airways is seeking an FAA exemption from the 1,500-hour pilot rule, citing a pilot shortage that forces flight cancellations and impacts small community air service.
Major pilot unions, including ALPA and APA, vehemently oppose the exemption, arguing it would compromise aviation safety and that the rule has dramatically improved U.S. airline safety records since its implementation.
Industry stakeholders are divided, with unions attributing service cuts to airline mismanagement rather than a pilot shortage, while some regional carriers question the 1,500-hour rule's efficacy given advances in training and less stringent foreign standards.
Despite the ongoing debate, the demand for qualified pilots is expected to lead to significant wage inflation, potentially creating a "pay bonanza" for pilots and suggesting the pushback against lower entry requirements may also relate to wage protection.

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Even with support from special interest groups such as the Regional Airlines Association, or other regionals, like Mesa Airlines, Republic Airways’ bid to gain exemption from the 1,500-hour rule might be an uphill battle—or short-lived. In fact, all the discussion around it suggests that the next few years of airline travel in the U.S. could be on shaky ground.

After all, regional airlines in the U.S. operate 41 percent of all scheduled flights in the U.S. While they say their inability to attract pilots has forced numerous cancellations, requests to be exempted from the 1,500-hour requirement are being brushed aside.