An Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)
Air New Zealand has introduced a brand new menu that will be served in business class on long-haul flights. This new menu highlights local contemporary cuisine that aims to introduce unique New Zealand flavors to the world, according to the airline.
The new dishes will be featured as ‘A Taste of Aotearoa,’ a reference to the indigenous name for New Zealand, on premium cabin menus departing the country.
Some of these dishes include:
Confit potato with onion crème fraîche whip and chives
Mānuka smoked rye sourdough
Smoked kahawai rillette with celery, caper, parsley salsa and citrus
Crayfish bisque with chive crème fraîche and sourdough croutons
Slow-cooked wild Fiordland Venison with pancetta, parmesan polenta and balsamic
roasted red onions
Seared New Zealand snapper with escabeche vegetables, smoked mussels, white
beans and fresh dill
Ambrosia ice cream
The new menu showcasing the country’s cultural identity comes at a time when the airline is seeking to refresh its image.
New Business Class
Later this year, passengers will see Air New Zealand’s brand new business class called Business Premier on Boeing 787 aircraft. The new seats will replace the 20-year-old existing herringbone seats. The airline is also installing four larger seats at the front of the business class cabin.
Air New Zealand is calling these seats Business Premier Luxe suites, continuing the business plus trend we’re seeing more airlines introduce. A seat with more space in the existing business class cabin for a slightly higher price. Passengers in these Business Premier Luxe seats will also be able to sit across from each other for meals, a feature often found in first class cabins.
Operational Challenges
These new seats will be retrofitted onto the existing Boeing 787 fleet since new Dreamliner aircraft deliveries have been delayed. The airline was expected to receive two new 787 aircraft sometime in late 2023 but the aircraft have been delayed. The carrier now expects these aircraft to arrive halfway through 2025. The delivery dates for the remaining six aircraft are uncertain.
Air New Zealand is also facing issues with the Pratt & Whitney engines on its narrowbody fleet similar to many other airlines. The carrier expects that the additional engine maintenance required by Pratt & Whitney will ground up to five of the airline’s newest A320 family aircraft at a time across the next year and a half.
Hemal took his first flight at four years old and has been an avgeek since then. When he isn't working as an analyst he's frequently found outside watching planes fly overhead or flying in them. His favorite plane is the 747-8i which Lufthansa thankfully flies to EWR allowing for some great spotting. He firmly believes that the best way to fly between JFK and BOS is via DFW and is always willing to go for that extra elite qualifying mile. Hemal's opinions are his own and do not reflect those of his employer.
Spirit To Close Atlantic City Crew Base
Spirit Airlines is closing its Atlantic City crew base by Sept. 1, 2024 following a recent announcement that it will furlough pilots.
A Spirit Airlines Airbus A319 prepares for landing. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
In a not-so-surprising news, Spirit Airlines has announced that it will be closing its crew base at the Atlantic City airport in New Jersey later this year. The airline cites a decrease in daily departures and ongoing aircraft availability challenges. Many Spirit aircraft remain grounded due to Pratt & Whitney engine challenges.
Scheduled flights will continue as planned to and from Atlantic City, but this city will no longer serve as a base for over 150 pilots and flight attendants effective Sept. 1 of this year. Currently, the airline serves destinations in Florida with an average of eight to 10 daily departures from the airport, depending on the season.
Atlantic City International Airport
Spirit had bet on Atlantic City service being appealing to South Jersey residents and, to some extent, people from the Philadelphia area looking for a deal. It currently is the only carrier operating regularly scheduled air service to the airport.
American Airlines offers its bus service to and from Philadelphia’s main airport several times a day. The airport also sees regular charter operations booked by the casinos flying people in from across the region to stay and gamble at the various local casinos in Atlantic City.
The airport is also home to military operations. The Atlantic City National Guard and Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City all call this airport home. It is also home to the 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey National Guard. Passengers going through the airport may be able to see the occasional F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Challenges For Spirit
This comes at a time when Spirit is looking to cut costs and survive after the blocked merger with JetBlue. The airline is going to start furloughing pilots in the third quarter of this year in addition to delaying deliveries of Airbus aircraft.
The airline is pushing deliveries until 2030 and 2031 in a move to improve its liquidity. This along with a large compensation payment from Pratt & Whitney over operational issues should help the airline weather the short-term challenges it faces.
However, the airline won’t be out of the woods yet as it needs to reevaluate its business and make adjustments based on changing market conditions.
On the flip side, the bad news for Spirit could be of benefit to other airlines and Airbus. The order book for Airbus A320 family aircraft is fully booked for years to come. Airlines that want to grow are having trouble finding aircraft that would be available relatively soon, and it’s complicating expansion plans.
Boeing had some manufacturing capacity available but given the significant quality failures the manufacturer is battling, it’s unlikely many airlines will be looking at Boeing favorably to fill the gap.
It was recently reported that United is in the market for some narrowbody aircraft, and Airbus is moving mountains to find space in its order books for the airline. There is speculation that the aircraft manufacturer is working with airlines to delay deliveries to be able to accommodate a potential United order.
It’s highly possible that we will see the aircraft deliveries originally allocated to Spirit be snapped up very quickly by other airlines.
Hemal took his first flight at four years old and has been an avgeek since then. When he isn't working as an analyst he's frequently found outside watching planes fly overhead or flying in them. His favorite plane is the 747-8i which Lufthansa thankfully flies to EWR allowing for some great spotting. He firmly believes that the best way to fly between JFK and BOS is via DFW and is always willing to go for that extra elite qualifying mile. Hemal's opinions are his own and do not reflect those of his employer.
Breeze Reports First Profitable Month, Cites Strong Demand and Network Growth
Breeze Airways, the self-styled "Nice Low-Cost Carrier" (NLCC), announced a major milestone this week: its first operating profit in March 2024.
A Breeze A220 in Phoenix. [AirlineGeeks - William Derrickson]
Breeze Airways, the self-styled “Nice Low-Cost Carrier” (NLCC), announced a major milestone this week: its first operating profit in March 2024.
The airline attributed its success to high demand for its “premium leisure” offerings and a maturing network in key markets. It credits this with setting the stage for continued profitability throughout 2024.
Strong Revenue Growth
Breeze reported a unit revenue increase of over 30% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2024. The carrier also generated more scheduled service revenue in March 2024 than in the entire first quarter of 2023.
Founded in 2019, Breeze began service in 2021. Now, the airline serves 56 cities across 29 states, offering over 170 nonstop routes. The airline credits itself with stimulating competition and lowering fares in underserved markets.
“This milestone is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and pure grit of the more than 1,800 Team Members who, despite a multitude of challenges and setbacks, persevered to build something truly impactful,” said Breeze founder and CEO David Neeleman in a press release. “Starting an airline is not for the faint of heart but we have remained true to our purpose – to give millions of travelers in underserved markets access to efficient and affordable air travel.”
Breeze plans continued growth, aiming to nearly quadruple its capacity since its first year of operation. Looking ahead, Breeze is optimistic about the future, citing the popularity of their “premium leisure” product and the potential for further network expansion.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
ABX Air operates about 25 Boeing 767 converted freighters. This 767-200 variant, seen taking off from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport in Arizona on Jan. 7, 2023, is 40 years old. (Photo: Shutterstock/Robin Guess)
The exhibit hall at the Omni Hotel here was filled in mid-February with booths representing airlines, logistics providers, airports, truck delivery companies and technology vendors marketing their capabilities to industry peers attending the AirCargo 2024 conference. The stall with a handful of ABX Air pilots from the Airline Professionals Association stood out.
Pilots never attend air logistics conferences, let alone rent space for a display. Why would they? They don’t have anything to sell. They fly the planes. But here was the pilots union selling a precious commodity: good will.
Friction is common between unionized labor and employers. That’s especially true in the airline industry, where contract negotiations with pilots take years and unions often raise the prospect of going on strike for better pay. The rise in tensions is currently playing out with pilots at FedEx Express and Air Transport International. Both groups have authorized leaders to call a strike if they ever exhaust strict bargaining procedures under U.S. law.
The pilots at cargo airline ABX Air are trying to break the cycle of adversarial relations in the airline industry and lay the groundwork for a favorable contract by drumming up business for the company.
“We feel that if we present a positive image with our customers at these events it will garner some recognition for our commitment to their service,” said Andrew Whobrey, a Boeing 767 freighter captain and leader in the Airline Professionals Association, in an interview. “We’re pledging that there will be no delays and we’ll do everything we can to serve the customer to the utmost of our ability.”
ABX Air operates 24 aircraft — a mix of Boeing 767-200 and 767-300 converted freighters — and has about 300 pilots. The bulk of the fleet supports DHL Express, with about four aircraft providing dedicated transport for Amazon’s air network.
ABX and Air Transport International are owned by the same company — Air Transport Services Group — but the ATI pilots are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association.
Building a cooperative relationship with management is an approach rarely seen in the airline industry. The company’s perspective is to save money and boost shareholder returns. Pilots account for a large share of labor costs at airlines. Unions want to get as much compensation for their workers as the market will support.
Ken Jacobs, co-chair of the University of California-Berkeley’s Center for Labor Research and Education, said there’s a long history of unions promoting good union employers. Hotel workers’ union Unite Here!, for example, lists good union employers on its local websites. “They want to drive people to employers that do right by their workers,” he said.
That level of collegiality is not frequently seen in the airline industry, Jacobs acknowledged.
Capt. Andrew Whobrey, a member of the ABX Executive Council, second from right. (Photo: Airforwarders Ass.)
The ABX pilots have internalized the English proverb that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. The philosophy that there is a better chance of winning over management to their contract expectations by playing nice is born from the repercussions of a work stoppage nearly eight years ago.
Pilots walked off the job days before the Black Friday shopping weekend in November 2016, forcing dozens of flights to be canceled. But a judge ordered them back to work one day later after determining the strike would cause severe economic harm.
He also rejected the union’s claim that ATSG had violated the collective bargaining agreement by not allowing pilots compensatory time or to take earned vacation after asking them to work overtime for two years.
Airlines fall under restrictive labor rules designed to prevent damage to interstate commerce that could have a widespread economic impact. Any impasse in collective bargaining has to go through a lengthy process, including mediation and arbitration, before either side can take unilateral action.
The short-lived strike raised concerns at DHL and Amazon about ABX Air’s reliability. It took several years before the express carriers requested additional flying from ABX.
Six years after the prior contract was eligible for amendment in 2014, the ABX pilots finally ratified a six-year contract on Dec. 30, 2020.
The bruises from that battle have motivated the pilots to act as brand ambassadors for ABX and ATSG.
“It was a long road to a collective bargaining agreement. It was a very lean time,” Whobrey said. “If we can help ABX grow and get business, that’s good for the pilots. Because a rising tide raises all boats.”
In addition to AirCargo 2024, the Airline Professionals Association has attended symposiums for freighter operators and manufacturers held in San Diego and Amsterdam since last summer.
The number of freighters ABX flies for Amazon has recently declined with lease expirations on 767-200s that have reached the end of their life cycle. Whobrey expressed hope that Amazon will eventually lease newer 767-300s from ATSG and place the aircraft on ABX’s operating certificate.
The collective bargaining agreement with ABX and ATSG is eligible to be updated at the start of 2026. The union pilots would look for improvements based on market conditions and for parity with peer airlines, but aren’t seeking pay scales like those at United Airlines or UPS.
“We don’t feel like we have to be the highest paid, but we don’t want to be the lowest paid,” Whobrey said.
Whobrey said it makes sense for ATSG to wait and see what happens with the Amazon contract because they have to know what their potential revenue is going to be before giving pilots an increase.
He predicted other airline unions will follow the Airline Professionals Association’s path if ABX grows and economic benefits flow to the pilots.
“We want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.”
Editor’s Note: This story first appeared on FreightWaves.
AirlineGeeks.com was founded in February 2013 as a one-person blog in Washington D.C. Since then, we’ve grown to have 25+ active team members scattered across the globe. We are all here for the same reason: we love deep-diving into the fascinating realm of the airline industry.
Eight new airlines - seven of which are international carriers - have recently been added to the program. One of which is an oddball given its current state.
TSA PreCheck is a blessing for any traveler wishing to cut down on time spent at the security checkpoint, as it speeds up not only the time one spends in line but also the entire process as a whole. Eight new airlines – seven of which are international carriers – have recently been added to the program.
Air Premia
This is South Korea’s first ‘hybrid’ airline and operates a fleet of exclusively Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The airline only has five total routes in its network, all of which leave from its hub at Seoul-Incheon. Three of the airlines’ routes touch the United States; Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Newark, all of which are busy international hubs.
Air Tahiti Nui
This Tahiti-based airline has been flying to the United States for a long time, and it is a welcomed sight to the list of TSA PreCheck airlines as it flies out of two very busy airports in the country on four routes. The airline flies to Seattle-Tacoma and Los Angeles, and routes from both destinations include Papeete Faa’a Intl. which is the country’s main international airport, and also Charles de Gaulle in Paris, France. Flights are on board Boeing 787s.
Air Transat
This is the only Canadian airline being added this time around to the PreCheck program, this airline operates flights to five destinations in the United States; Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, many of which see multiple flights a day to four destinations in Canada.
Bahamasair
Another airline that has been operating to the United States for a long time is now finally in the program. Its flights to the U.S. mostly operate on Boeing 737s, but some routes into South Florida are on the ATR aircraft. The routes from the Bahamas to the U.S. include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Orlando, and most recently Raleigh.
BermudAir
This Bermuda-based airline hasn’t been operating flights for an entire year with their first flights being in May of 2023. Although it does plan on serving Canada in the near future, all of the routes it currently serves are to the United States, with flights to White Plains, N.Y., Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Baltimore-Washington, and Boston. Flights are on board Embraer E175 aircraft.
Iberia
Out of the eight airlines being added this time around, this is the busiest airline among them as it sees a couple of thousand daily passengers out of the United States on its over 10 routes from the country. Iberia operatse Airbus A330s and A350s from eight U.S. airports to multiple destinations in Spain; Boston, New York-JFK, Washington-Dulles, Miami, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
La Compagnie
This airline operates all business class configured Airbus A321s to three destinations in Europe, all of which are out of Newark. This PreCheck addition will be a welcome addition for the passengers to simplify their experience at Newark and add to the ‘premium experience’ the airline offers.
New Pacific Airlines
The final airline being added is the only U.S.-based airline being added this time around, but is a bit of an odd one given the timing. This airline discontinued its only route the same week it was added to the PreCheck program. It did operate Boeing 757s from Ontario, Calif. to Nashville, as well as Ontario to Reno, with the latter route being discontinued a couple of weeks prior to the only other route being canceled.
The carrier does operate flights under the Ravn banner and logo in the state of Alaska to 10 destinations out of Anchorage.
Joey has always been interested in planes for as long as he can remember. He grew up in Central New York during the early 2000s when US Airways Express turboprops ruled the skies. Being from a non-aviation family made it harder for him to be around planes and would only spend about three hours a month at the airport. He was so excited when he could drive by himself, the first thing he did with his driver's license was get ice cream and go plane spotting for the entire day. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 2022 with a B.S. in Aviation Management & Operations and a Minor in Business, and currently works for a major airline in his hometown.
Uganda Airlines to Boost Capacity to Johannesburg
Uganda Airlines is gearing up to expand its medium-haul fleet with the addition of an Airbus A320neo through wet-leasing.
A Uganda Airlines Airbus A330neo.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Uganda Airlines is gearing up to expand its fleet with the addition of an A320neo through wet-leasing.
CEO Jennifer Bamuturaki, in an interview with national broadcaster UBC on March 27, revealed that this move is seen as a temporary solution due to the prolonged lead times associated with purchasing narrowbody aircraft. “We haven’t committed to an order for purchase yet; the soonest we could expect delivery is in 2029 or 2030.”
According to the airline boss, this aircraft will primarily serve the Entebbe to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo route, bridging the medium-haul gap within the current fleet. Bamuturaki explained this by stating, “We intend to deploy this aircraft on routes where our CRJ usage faces challenges in volume and weight. We anticipate a boost in our performance metrics, particularly on routes like Johannesburg, where baggage restrictions have been a limiting factor.”
A spokesperson from the airline, as reported by aeronautical data company CH-Aviation also confirmed that “The aircraft in question is an A320, and we are scheduled to take delivery later this month.” Details of the lessor were, however, not disclosed.
The wet-lease agreement enables Uganda Airlines to leverage the entire aircraft, including crew, maintenance, and insurance, while the carrier plans for a permanent acquisition.
By introducing the wet-leased A320neo, Uganda Airlines aims to overcome capacity constraints present in its current fleet of four CRJ900LRs and two A330-800neo widebodies. This move is expected to enhance operational flexibility, particularly on routes where the existing Bombardier regional jets fall short.
Bamuturaki further announced that Uganda Airlines has secured foreign operator permits for several new destinations, including Jeddah International and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Lusaka in Zambia, and Harare in Zimbabwe.
“We are not only focused on expanding our route network but also on establishing Entebbe as a hub where passengers can seamlessly connect to other flights or explore Uganda’s tourism offerings,” she emphasized.
Despite being operational since 2019, Uganda Airlines has faced scrutiny over its continual need for capitalization, despite reporting significant losses over the past three years.
This is after the Parliamentary Budget Committee, led by Hon. Tony Awany, disclosed earlier this year on Jan. 16, 2024, that the government plans to inject an additional UGShs34.9 billion ($9.2 million USD) into Uganda National Airlines, bringing the total budget allocation to UGShs120.9 billion ($31.8 million USD).
The Budget Committee members have raised concerns about the airline’s profitability and operational efficiency, seeking clarification on the government’s ongoing investment in Uganda National Airlines.
Victor Shalton's love for aviation can be traced to when he was 11-years-old. As a seasoned aviation writer, he takes pride in providing the best aviation coverage around the globe and is passionate about advancing his skills in the aviation space. In addition, he loves travelling, writing, arts and while his speaking engagements have taken him around the world, he is proud to call Nairobi home.
Service to Cebu won’t begin until October 27, according to a United spokesperson. Newark-Faro won’t begin this year, instead slipping into Summer 2025.
This news comes after a string of recent incidents involving United aircraft, which prompted the FAA to initiate a closer look at the airline’s operations.
“Due to recent safety events, the FAA is increasing oversight of United Airlines to ensure that it is complying with safety regulations; identifying hazards and mitigating risk; and effectively managing safety,” the agency said in a statement last month. “Certification activities in process may be allowed to continue, but future projects may be delayed based on findings from oversight.”
The Chicago-based airline says impacted customers on these planned flights will receive full refunds or the option to rebook their travel on partner airlines without additional fees.
Additional Scrutiny
Because both Cebu and Faro are new destinations for United, the airline may require additional approvals to begin revenue service. It remains unclear exactly which certification activities will be restricted.
“United will still train, issue type rides, and conduct normal business,” the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) United MEC said in a letter. The pilots union noted that the airline will undergo an FAA audit called a Certification Holder and Evaluation Program (CHEP) in which the agency embeds inspectors into an air carrier’s daily operations to review “all facets.”
According to the union, these audits aren’t particularly uncommon. United’s last one was in 2018 and the FAA says they are conducted roughly every five years.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Kalitta Charters II Says Goodbye to the Boeing 727
Michigan-based cargo operator Kalitta Charters II bid farewell to its final Boeing 727 freighter on April 5, 2024, marking the end of an era for the company.
A Kalitta Charters II Boeing 727 aircraft (Photo: Shutterstock)
Michigan-based cargo operator Kalitta Charters II bid farewell to its final Boeing 727 freighter on April 5, 2024. The over 40-year-old aircraft, N729CK, completed a short flight from Willow Run Airport (KIPT) to Oscoda Wurtsmith Airport (KOSC) in Michigan, marking the end of an era for the company.
This retirement follows Kalitta Charters II’s announcement in 2024 to transition to a larger Boeing 737 freighter fleet. The carrier also operates a handful of business jets. In 2019, the company retired its DC-9 fleet.
The Boeing 727, a tri-jet airliner first introduced in the 1960s, played a significant role in the cargo industry. Kalitta acknowledged the aircraft’s legacy according to ch-aviation, highlighting its “workhorse” status and its “unmatched self-stainability in the field.”
The company operated a total of nine Boeing 727-200 freighters throughout its history, with N729CK being the last one in the fleet. Kalitta is one of a handful of U.S.-based carriers still operating the 727, including Everts Air Alaska and Towards Air.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
A Spirit A320neo. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Spirit plans to furlough approximately 260 pilots later this year, according to a news release issued on Monday. The company continues to grapple with Pratt & Whitney engine issues, losing almost $184 million last quarter.
Spirit says the furloughs will take effect on Sept. 1, 2024. In late 2023, the airline halted all pilot and flight attendant hiring, citing slower 2024 growth plans and ongoing engine troubles.
Earlier this year, a federal judge struck down the proposed merger between JetBlue and Spirit. The duo terminated their merger agreement in early March.
“I am extremely proud of our dedicated Spirit team for their focus and resilience over the last few years. Unfortunately, we had to make the difficult decision to furlough Pilots given the grounded aircraft in our fleet and our deferral of future deliveries,” Spirit chief Ted Christie said in a press release.
Aircraft Deferrals
In a move to bolster the company’s liquidity, Spirit says it also plans to defer new aircraft deliveries with Airbus. All aircraft on order that are scheduled to be delivered in the second quarter of 2025 through the end of 2026 will shift to 2030 and 2031, the carrier shared.
Spirit expects this move to improve its liquidity position by roughly $340 million over the next two years. “This amendment to our agreement with Airbus is an important part of Spirit’s comprehensive plan to bolster profitability and strengthen our balance sheet,” Christie added.
Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
A CRJ-900 aircraft in Charlotte (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
After years of aggressive growth, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) has corroborated messaging from multiple U.S. regional airlines that pilot hiring is stabilizing in the United States. Airlines are beginning to more easily manage their flow of pilots and plan ahead for future demand.
CommuteAir and Mesa Airlines both said that the ready supply of new pilots roughly matches the overall demand. ALPA announced at the end of March that the U.S. is consistently certifying a greater number of airline pilots each month compared to pre-pandemic levels.
To some, the writing has been on the wall for some time. Most notably, consumer courier companies like FedEx and UPS have significantly scaled back hiring over the past six months, and passenger airlines such as Southwest and United have done the same. Granted, the reasons for these changes vary – stabilizing demand for packages versus backups on airplane certification – but, in each case, it appears that the causes of the new hire slowdowns will not be short-lived.
This data does not mean, however, that all airlines’ needs are met. Many carriers, especially regional airlines, are still struggling to retain captains effectively to fully operate their schedules.
“We can hire first officers. I think almost every regional airline right now has a stack of first officers,” said CommuteAir CEO Rick Hoefling during an October 2023 interview with AirlineGeeks.
“The problem is building their time at the same time you’re attriting out captains at a pretty high rate in the industry. We went from a pilot shortage to a captain shortage now in the industry. So the pendulum is starting to move,” Hoefling continued.
And when there are enough pilots – captains and first officers together – to meet current demand, airlines may strive to start relaunching service to markets that were suffered before the pandemic. Regional carrier SkyWest Airlines announced late last year that it is planning to continue hiring enough pilots to cover not only the vacancies it has now but also to allow it to begin expanding services.
Pilot hiring is never a static condition; the amount that pilots are getting hired depends on various conditions. Without ongoing 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 certification delays, for example, Southwest and United would not have reduced their hiring as significantly as they have in recent months, meaning hiring at regional airlines would still be higher to compensate for the crews lost to legacies. And as more senior pilots continue to retire, there will still be a certain amount of demand to maintain the current workforce.
John McDermott is a commercial pilot pursuing a career in professional flight. His passion for aviation began in an Ann Arbor bookstore with a tale of enemy pilots during World War 2, and he hasn't looked back. Besides flying and writing for AirlineGeeks, John volunteers with Professional Pilots of Tomorrow and travels whenever he gets the chance.
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