Iata sounds a warning over severe pilot shortage

AS THE skills shortage gains prominence in every industry sector, the International Air Transport Association (Iata) has warned the world’s airlines of a severe pilot shortage unless industry and government work together to change training and qualification practices. Iata issued a new estimate last week that the industry may need 17 000 new pilots annually due to expected industry growth and retirements. “Increasing the retirement age to 65 will help but it can’t be the only solution. It’s time to ring the warning bell. We must re-think pilot training and qualification to further improve safety and increase training capacity,” Giovanni Bisignani, Iata director general and CEO, told the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) International Safety Forum recently.