By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Reading: Aviation Workforce Shortages On Both Sides Of The Pond
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Signin Sign In
Follow US
Copyright © Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2025 | All Rights Reserved
Travel Radar - Aviation News > News > Aviation Workforce Shortages On Both Sides Of The Pond

Aviation Workforce Shortages On Both Sides Of The Pond

Nadeane Smallwood
Last updated: 25 October 2021 18:32
By Nadeane Smallwood 4 Min Read
Share
Air Crew
Cockpit ©Pilots Deck
SHARE

With the end of US and Australian travel bans and the holiday season fast approaching, transatlantic travel is set to see a climatic upturn. However, due to industry labour shortages and employee union disputes, the return of transatlantic travel to pre pandemic levels, may be much slower and more anti-climatic than anticipated.

Since the start of the summer the aviation industry has seen many issues concerning labour shortages, union disagreements, and thousands of cancelled flights on both sides of the Atlantic.

UK Ministers fear a potential shortfall in pilot numbers when full flight schedules resume, after hundreds of airline crew retired or changed career during the pandemic. The acting general secretary of the British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA), Martin Chalk, has also confirmed that the aviation industry also feared a shortage of pilots.

Experts have suggested the industry faced a global shortage of 34,000 pilots by 2025

Ground Handling

With staffing shortages preventing airlines from adding additional flights, there is also an increasing number of airlines having to cancel flights. This has resulted in ground handlers such as Menzies, having to make ‘tailored’ approaches to tackling recruitment challenges due to a lack of workforce, says Menzies Aviation Chief Operating Officer, Mervyn Walker.

Alaska Airlines has decided to reduce its everyday service between Wichita, Kansas, and Seattle, Washington in November and December. This is due to “labour shortages”, according to an update posted on the website for the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport. However, an Alaska Airlines spokesperson has denied the claim made by the airport. A spokesperson said,

This is part of standard seasonal operation changes and is not a reflection on staffing changes,”

Alaska Airlines landing gear
Alaska Airlines © Andres Porco / Travel Radar

Southwest Airlines suffered a spiral of disruption earlier this month, triggered by bad weather, air traffic control issues and thin staffing resources. This series of unfortunate events resulted in the carrier having to cancel more than 2,000 flights, costing the airline $75million. Southwest said that it would adjust its December schedule to try and get a handle on the issue. The airline also said 2022 schedule would reflect a “more conservative staffing assumptions, as well, all compared to historical norms.”

Pent Up Demand

Due to a surge is travel demand, and the vaccine rates slowly rising, people are becoming more comfortable with traveling on planes. Over the summer season, American Airlines were also forced to cancelled hundreds of flights due to staffing shortages, and maintenance issues. American Airline spokesperson, Sarah Jantz reported,

Labour shortages some of our vendors are contending with and the incredibly quick ramp up of customer demand.

American Airlines Overhead
American Airlines © Andres Porco / Travel Radar

Over the pandemic, most airline’s biggest problems, were a weak demand due to travel restrictions and closed borders. That has changed since the summer, and demand has started to pick up. Virgin Atlantic reported a 600% booking surge overnight, following President Joe Biden’s announcement of the end of the 18-month travel ban.

As transatlantic travel is reading to make a roaring come back, the question on industry enthusiasts’ minds is, is the industry ready? What are your thoughts? Leave us your comments below! 

You Might Also Like

RwandAir Expands Fleet, Welcomes Two New Boeing 737-800s

Delta Agrees to Pay $78.75 million Settlement for Fuel Dump Lawsuit

airBaltic Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Qantas Orders 20 New A321XLR Aircraft

Philadelphia International Airport Installs new Safety Feature on Runway to Stop Overrun Aircraft

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link
What’s your thoughts?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Angry0
Nadeane Smallwood
By Nadeane Smallwood
Follow:
A recent MSc Air Transport graduate, with a passion for aviation, journalism and creative writing. Nadeane is a London based aviation Journalist, with over ten years experience in various roles across the aviation industry and travelled to over 40 countries.
Previous Article ANA Airbus A321 ©AirlinesFleet.com MMF: The Future Of Airlines?
Next Article VeriFly Digital Identity © GooglePlay VeriFly App Expanded by British Airways
Leave a comment
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Trending News

JetBlue aircraft
JetBlue and Condor Expand Partnership to Boost Loyalty Benefits
Airlines Points & Loyalty Travel
Cochin International Airport Terminal
Kerala Aviation Summit 2025: Focus on Infrastructure and Flight Connectivity
Airports Airshow & Events Aviation
Finnair Airbus A330-300 on the runway at Heathrow airport
Finnair Launches New Mediterranean Routes
Airlines Aviation Route Development Travel
Southwest adds new routes
Southwest Airlines adds New Routes, announces Partnership with EVA air
Airlines Airports Aviation Route Development Travel
Menzies Aviation completes acquisition of G2
Menzies Aviation Completes US$305 Million Acquisition of G2
Aviation Careers Route Development
//

Travel Radar is the leading digital hub for all things aviation and air-travel. Discover our latest aviation news, aviation data, insight and analysis.

Discover

  • Latest News
  • Subscribe
  • Weekly Digest
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Media Coverage
  • Press & Events
  • Join Our Team
  • Our Brands

Signup to our Newsletter!

And get the latest aviation news via our weekly news digest!

© Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2015-2025 | ISSN #2635-0696 | Trademark #UK00003579704
wpDiscuz
adbanner
AdBlock Detected
Ads help us bring you high-quality, independent journalism for free. Support us by whitelisting us from your ad blocker.
Okay, I'll Whitelist
Welcome to the TR Community!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?