News

“FOX11 investigates efforts to relieve growing pilot shortage.” Mark Leland, FOX 11 [Green Bay], 14 November 2018

“Air travel is soaring to new heights. 2017 set new records for passengers. As they fill up planes, airports are working to add more flights and the airlines more destinations. The problem is the industry is running out of pilots to fly the planes.”


“New training program for high school students aims to combat pilot shortage.” NBC Nightly News, 30 September 2018

“The Air Force program for high school juniors and seniors hopes to fill a nationwide shortage of military and commercial pilots, while also creating a more diverse generation of aviators.”


“What America’s shortage of pilots could mean for passengers.” TODAY Show, 30 August 2018

“The U.S. airline industry is facing a potential nationwide pilot shortage in the coming years, an issue that could mean potential delays and fewer flights for passengers. The biggest problem is that, unless potential pilots learn to fly in the military, it could costs a small fortune to be trained and certified. NBC’s Tom Costello reports for TODAY.”


“Shortage of pilots must be addressed to keep economy flying.” Rick Piccolo for Herald-Tribune [Sarasota], 16 July 2018

“Florida’s economy depends on a strong commercial air service system with an adequate pool of qualified pilots to expand the system as demand grows. That’s why Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is working with other airports and airlines from across the state and across the country to solve the pilot shortage.”

Rick Piccolo is airport director at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)


“Why Iowans should care about a pilot shortage.” Marty Lenss for The Gazette [Cedar Rapids], 8 July 2018

“We can make a difference, and this is no time for ‘Iowa nice.’ We must talk openly and candidly about the economic impact of this growing problem. We need direct involvement from Iowa’s congressional delegation, community development leaders, state and local elected officials and airports. We need more voices.”

Marty Lenss is airport director at Eastern Iowa Airport (CID).


“Air Force faces pilot shortage.” Tom Bowman, Zachariah Hughes, and Linda Wertheimer for NPR and Alaska Public Media, 7 July 2018

“So why are all these young, highly trained, elite pilots leaving? One of the main reasons is that commercial airlines are hiring them away.”


“Iowa airlines face growing pilot shortage; regional airports may be first to feel the pinch.” Mitchell Schmidt for The Gazette [Cedar Rapids], 7 July 2018

“Despite upsizing to larger planes, seeing back-to-back months of record-breaking passenger counts and expanding the airport terminal building to accommodate growth, The Eastern Iowa Airport warily is watching predictions of a severe pilot shortage.”


“Regional airlines hurt by worsening pilot shortage: ‘It should be a national concern.'” Kris Van Kleave for CBS News, 4 July 2018

“When a major airline needs a pilot to fly planes, they often look to the regional airlines. But when pilots for smaller commuter planes move over to the majors, it’s getting harder to find their replacements.”


“United cancels service at Willard; pilot shortage cited.” Ben Zigterman for The News-Gazette [Champaign-Urbana], 2 July 2018

“Barely a year after Willard Airport added flights from United Airlines, the carrier is canceling service at the University of Illinois-owned facility.”


“Airlines struggle with global pilot shortage.” Jamie Freed, Chayut Setboonsarng, and Allison Lampert for Reuters, 6 June 2018

“A growing shortage of airline pilots is putting the industry’s recent growth at risk as planes sit idle, higher salaries cut into profits and unions across the globe push for more benefits.”


“Pilot shortage.” Phil LeBeau for CNBC, 1 June 2018

“What we’re gonna see is air service that might have been viable ten years ago won’t be viable in the future.”


“Pilot-hungry airlines are raiding flight schools — creating a shortage of instructors to train the next generation.” Andrew Van Dam for The Washington Post, 21 May 2018

“Airlines’ insatiable demand for pilots threatens to sabotage flight schools’ ability to train new ones. Carriers are raising wages and hoarding every available pilot — including the instructors schools rely on to teach incoming students.”


“Airline hiring, lifestyle issues deepen Air Force pilot shortage.” Tom Philpott for Stars and Stripes, 16 November 2017

“‘We are concerned that the fighter pilot shortage is the canary in the coal mine,’ Brig. Gen. Michael Koscheski said. ‘We’re worried about a mobility pilot shortage with the airline hiring and the draw it has.’ Shortage of instructor pilots is another concern.”