Where Have All the Pilots Gone?

Michael Wildes

Friday, January 14, 2022 at 01:17 PM ET

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Empty cockpits are becoming more and more common, but why? [File Image: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

The aviation industry faces a severe and persistent pilot shortage, intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to grounded regional aircraft and widespread route cancellations.
Pilots are primarily leaving or avoiding the profession due to a desire for better work-life balance, personal fulfillment, and feeling undervalued, rather than just compensation, compounded by a general decline in new pilot interest.
This shortage impacts all aviation sectors, from commercial to corporate and military, with regional airlines struggling significantly to retain and attract pilots despite offering substantial incentives.
Future projections anticipate a massive global demand for new pilots—up to 264,000 over the next decade—driven by retirements and projected travel growth, positioning the shortage as a critical challenge for the industry.

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Editor’s note: This article is the first in a six-part series examining the aviation industry’s pilot shortage and what can be done about it.

Jan. 14: An overview of the issue | Jan. 17: How the military is dealing with its shortage | Jan. 18: Recruiting right from the flight schools | Jan. 19: How to get young people involved | Jan 20: The role of flight schools in creating pilots | Jan 21: Want to get your chops back? Here’s how.