Presidents of Regional Airline and Air Line Pilots Associations Argue Over Hours-Reduction Proposal

Scathing letters to each other reveal opposing sides of the debate on how to fix the pilot shortage.

Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 05:31 PM 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:

ALPA (Air Line Pilots Association International) and RAA (Regional Airlines Association) are embroiled in a public dispute over the pilot shortage and proposed solutions, with ALPA blaming regional carriers for low pay and mismanagement.
ALPA criticizes RAA's lobbying to weaken pilot training and experience rules (like the 1,500-hour rule), arguing that these efforts compromise safety, and instead advocates for competitive pilot compensation, citing recent successful pay negotiations.
RAA counters ALPA, stating the union has "lost its way" by conflating flight hours with safety and hindering solutions to the pilot shortage, highlighting ALPA's past position that the quality of pilot experience is more crucial than mere flight hours.

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There is a growing tension between two prominent airline industry stakeholders, and based on events this week, it could be a while before things simmer down.

The Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA) is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 64,000 pilots at 39 U.S. and Canadian airlines. It has proven to be a powerful advocate for benefits for its pilots, from rest rules to compensation. Separately, the Regional Airlines Association (RAA) represents 17 North American regional airlines and 280 associate and non-airline members. This includes manufacturers of products and services supporting the regional airline industry. Considering that more than 41 percent of all scheduled flights in the U.S. are operated by regional airlines, the people that ALPA and the RAA represent overlap.