The airline industry in recent weeks is in recovery mode. On Tuesday, American Airlines announced that it is hiring pilots again by fall.
At one point during the pandemic, the airline not only stopped pilot hiring but also reduced its staff including pilots and even union employees. But since bookings recovered recently thanks to vaccination rollouts in the US, American announced that it is looking to fly more than 90% of its 2019 domestic schedule by summer.
American is looking to start by hiring 300 new pilots by the end of the year. By 2022, Chip Long, American’s Vice President of Flight Operations, mentioned that they are looking to double that number.
Pilot Hiring is Underway to Meet Pent-Up Travel Demand
American Airlines isn’t the only airline that has resumed pilot hiring. United Airlines is also looking for new pilots by next month. On the other hand, low-budget airline Spirit Airlines will train new pilots in March. Jet Blue Airways will also start hiring pilots later this year.
American Airlines has around 15,000 pilots. However, during the peak of the pandemic, hundreds took early retirement or had to stop flying as they reached 65. 65 is the mandated retirement age for pilots.
So far, business and long-haul international flights remain low. Travel restrictions are still in place and the CDC discourages international travel. The US State Department even recently plans to include 80% of countries worldwide in its Level 4: Do Not Travel guidance list.
The airline industry is still a long way to go to recover its losses. United has reported a $1.4 billion loss in Q1 of the year. On the other hand, Delta Air Lines lost $1.2 billion in the same period. Airlines are now selling the middle seat just to recover from losses. Despite a study by the CDC that vacant middle seats can lower the risk of passengers, airlines are continuing with their plan.
