Southern Airways, Wheels Up Partner on Improving Pilot Attrition

Amidst a workforce shortage for Southern Airways Express, the carrier has announced a new partnership with Wheels Up.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Monday, November 13, 2023 at 01:41 PM ET

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A Southern Airways Express Cessna 208. [Photo: AirlineGeeks/Joey Gerardi]

Key Takeaways:

Southern Airways Express (SAE) is actively addressing significant pilot attrition, which its CEO identifies as the company's primary workforce challenge.
To combat this, SAE has formed a new partnership with Wheels Up, where Wheels Up pilots will serve as captains at Southern for a year to gain experience before transitioning back to Wheels Up.
This collaboration also provides a structured pathway for Wheels Up's less experienced pilots to accrue valuable Part 135 operating time with Southern Airways.
Additionally, Southern Airways Express is revamping its internal pilot training program, which includes opening a new simulator-equipped training center and making classes smaller to improve retention and operational efficiency.

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Southern Airways Express, a Part 135 operator based in Palm Beach, Fla., is looking for new ways to bring pilots on board with the company. News this past July broke that the carrier was suing previous pilots who left the company for breaking contracts they had signed with the airline for training. The decision to come after former pilots has seen a string of backlash from those in the industry and the federal government. However, amidst a shortage in workforce for Southern, the carrier has just announced a new partnership with another 135 operator: Wheels Up.

The recent agreement will see Wheels Up, who recently gained funding from Delta Air Lines, sending pilots to Southern to fly as captains for a year before returning to Wheels Up. Southern Airways CEO, Stan Little, mentioned the primary issue for the carrier is pilot attrition instead of hiring.