Australia: Visa restrictions on foreign pilots expected to be eased

The Australian government is expected to relax restrictions on visas for foreign pilots as a national shortage sees planes grounded and flights cancelled, aviation officials said Friday. Australia earlier this year removed pilots from a list of eligible professions allowed to work in the country as so-called skilled migrants amid a crackdown to promote "Australia-first". With a global shortage of pilots, Australia's international carriers have lost staff to competitors, forcing them to recruit from domestic carriers, who are in turn employing trained pilots from smaller regional airlines. Unable to source enough pilots, Australia's regional carriers have been forced to cancel flights, but Mike Higgins, CEO of the industry body, the Regional Aviation Association of Australia, said the country's government has told him it will ease restrictions in January. "The government has said it will add pilots to the skilled migrant visa list in January and they will be able to work in Australia for two years," said Higgins. A relaxation of visa restrictions would be provide some relief to Australia's rural travelers, which have been beset by frequent flight cancellations. According to Australian government data, 3% of domestic flights were canceled in November, the highest monthly level in nearly six years. <br/>