Good day to you from our Team at PCC.
After six long weeks of non-stop Airline Interview Preps and Pilot-Resume/CV building, we have finally been able to take a break and sit down, as a group, to discuss what we are seeing out there -- on the flight line and across our Aviation Industry & Global Pilot Community as a whole.
It is truly a remarkable period in the History of Aviation -- right here, right now -- today in August 2011.
To start with, we are about to see the first deliveries and revenue services of the long-awaited Boeing B787 Dreamliners and B747-8 Freighters & Passenger Airliners. We cannot wait for that - these state-of-the-art aircraft look both beautiful and incredible! At the same time, we see Bombardier is inching closer to delivery of their first LearJet 85 Corporate Jet, while Gulfstream continues to make progress with their G650 Intercontinental Jet. Airbus hit a home run earlier this year with their revamped A320neo product - which continues to book solid orders from airlines across the globe. At the same time, Boeing has been delivering their new-look Boeing B737NG Aircraft with the all new Boeing Sky Interiors (designed from the evolution of the 787 interiors). Embraer continues deliveries of its popular E190/E170s, Legacy Jets, and Phenom 100/300 VLJ Jets.
Interesting developments also include the replacement of most B747 Classic Freighters with converted B744 Passenger Airliners - under the Boeing BCF Program. At the same time, the Boeing B777-300ER and B777-200LR Widebodies are making their mark around the world - with new deliveries and new orders every day. Brand new Airbus A330s, ATR72s, Bombardier Q400s, CRJ900 and CRJ1000s, and Airbus A380 'Supers' are being seen more and more at major gateways.
On the charter side or size of things, we are seeing new versions of the ever popular Bombardier Global Express, Citation CJ3s, Embraer Legacy's, Hawker 4000s, Super King Air 350s, Beech 1900D on the way, and also the PC12-47 EFIS Turboprop.
Global Pilot Shortage - 2011 and beyond.
It is quite amazing to see where we are headed in terms of Pilot Hiring and the current Global Pilot Shortage. (See our next article regarding how we refer to this shortage as a 'Global Experienced / Type Experienced Pilot Shortage').
For the first time ever, we are seeing major International Airlines and Cargo Airlines, traveling around the world to put on Recruitment Roadshows in order to attract experienced pilots. Where possible, airlines are adding benefits and pay increases to help with their recruitment drives. If not now, very soon. Their growth is at risk due to Pilot Recruitment concerns.
Specifically, this month British Airways launched a major recruitment drive for pilots, Emirates Airlines Pilot Recruitment Team continues with their world tour of pilot-roadshows, Qatar Airways following suit, Etihad Airways also conducted road shows earlier this year. Cathay Pacific Airways has begun hiring again in earnest - as it looks to expand its international and passenger services. This hiring has a huge domino effect - as we often see pilots at European Lowcost Airlines jump over to these International Carriers, in doing so making room at the bottom for new hiring waves into easyJet, Ryanair, airBerlin, Norwegian, Jet2, and flybe.
Despite the recent economic woes in the US and Europe, emerging economies such as India, Brazil, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and China continue to boom. As this continues, their aviation industries grow alongside their economies, resulting in an even greater need for pilots.
In the USA, First Officer salaries at the Regional Airlines remain horrendously low -- resulting in many American CRJ and ERJ Pilots applying and moving to International Airlines overseas -- where they can quadruple their pay and benefits overnight. The domino effect comes into play here as well -- since that movement opens the window for new First Officers -- we continue to see Career Fairs across the US to allow low-time pilots to meet with Recruitment Personnel from the many Regional Airlines.
The aviation industry in Canada is also booming in terms of pilot recruitment. Ever steady WestJet Airlines continues their consistent intake of pilots; matching their B737NG delivery schedule. Air Canada has just announced that it intends to hire an additional 112 pilots over the next 10 months or so, and perhaps many more if it can get union agreements to start up a Holiday Airline subsidiary. Other airlines such as Porter Airlines, Sunwing, Jazz, and air Transat are looking to hire more pilots prior to the busy winter holiday period and/or perhaps to replace any pilots that successfully interviewed with Air Canada.
All of the experienced pilots heading to the CDN Airlines listed above will come from charter companies across Canada - resulting in another domino effect -- with new openings for low-time First Officers and low-time Captains into King Airs, Beech 1900s, Dash 8's, Citation Jets and the like.
International Airline Pilot-Recruitment Estimates:
Cathay Pacific Airways -- continuous hiring of Second Officers (unsure of number - but airline will be recruiting indefinitely).
Emirates Airline -- looking to hire over 700 pilots over next two years (estimate).
flydubai -- looking to hire over 500 new pilots by 2016.
British Airways -- looking to hire over 800 new pilots by 2016.
Air Canada -- needs to hire 112 pilots to fill openings in their AUG-11 Equipment Bid. Have published a need for a further 450+ pilots if they go ahead with a new low-cost Holiday Airline Division.
Hong Kong Airlines -- growing significantly to try and compete with Cathay Pacific; will be hiring many Type Experienced Pilots.
China Airlines (Taiwan) -- continuous hiring.
Singapore Airlines -- about to start up a separate B777 Low Cost Division with a need to hire B777 Type Rated Expat Pilots.
Qatar Airways -- continuous Airbus and Boeing Deliveries, and Pilot Hiring.
Etihad Airways -- Deliveries in 2011/2012 - and Pilot Hiring.
AirAsia / AirAsia X -- record orders for A320neos - requiring additional pilots for the next 10 years.
Indigo Airlines (India) -- huge order for A320neos - requiring additional pilots for the next 10 years.
Tiger Airways / Jetstar Singapore -- both airlines looking to expand as fast as able to heed off the threat of AirAsia's growth into their key markets - meaning pilot hiring and expansion.
Korean Air -- continues to recruit experienced Captains to their growing fleet.
Azul / GOL / TAM -- these booming Brazilian Airlines are all hiring indefinitely - alongside the Brazilian economic expansion.
Business Aviation -- despite the economy in the US, Europe, the wealthy are becoming wealthier by the day, adding jets and pilots.
There are many more examples of expanding airlines across the globe. Interestingly, recent data suggests Passenger Numbers World Wide are currently up 4% on Pre-Recession Levels.
Another set of interesting facts - Air Cargo only accounts for 2% of Worldwide Cargo Movements -- but makes up for it by counting close to 40% of the total value in Worldwide Cargo. Also, our current generation is addicted to new gadgets, and the successful 2011 Corporations deliver-to-market their latest high-end-goods as quickly as they possibly can -- utilizing Air Cargo Services instead of shipping. A great example of this -- the Apple iPad2. When the latest iPhone or iPad Version is released for sale, you can bet B747F Freighters are the work horses -- flying across the globe, back and forth, to meet the massive demand!
The Emergence of Aviation in China
Now for the real news regarding pilot recruitment across the globe - the rapid growth of aviation in CHINA.
The aviation industry in China is exploding. According to former Cathay Pacific Airways CEO Tony Tyler, the number of passengers in China is expected to reach 500 million by 2015 and 1.5 billion by 2030. Last year there were 1600 aircraft in China and this looks to increase to 2600 by 2015 and 4000 by 2020. Latest projections suggest, to cover their airliner orders, an additional 50,000 pilots will be needed over the next 8 years. One estimate making the rounds states that we would need every single training organization across the globe to take 300 Chinese Cadets every year to meet China's pilot requirements.
Quite amazing to think about how our airlines and our industry will combat the shortage; clearly quite a challenge ahead for China and Global Pilot Recruitment.
What we, at PCC, continue to promote to airlines and our pilot audience:
*Professional, Informative, Updated Website for Pilots across the globe.
*Professional Pilot-CV/Resume Designs.
*Professional Interview Help to give pilots the best chance possible.
*Professional Pay Levels for All Pilots.
*Proper Rest Guidelines and Fatigue Models for Rostering.
*Proper Rest Facilities for International Long Haul Pilots.
*Non-Punitive Safety Management & Reporting Systems.
*Human Factors Understanding amongst all pilots - to allow for long, rewarding, healthy careers and lives.