Regional pilot shortage slows the US airline recovery

Even as Omicron ebbs, airlines — particularly in the US — face staffing shortages that range from entry-level positions like baggage handlers to highly qualified pilots and maintenance technicians that fly the regional jets that connect many smaller communities to major hubs, and on to the world. These issues are creating very real, and more difficult to mitigate, challenges to the broader recovery. “There’s a lot of pressure on hiring, and that may have the effect of creating a conservative capacity growth going forward,” said Kevin Healy, president and CEO of Campbell-Hill Aviation Group that works with airports to land new flights, on January 11. Airlines are already being forced to cut flights on account of staffing shortfalls. Delta Air Lines has reduced regional flying by 20-25% from planned levels during the first half of 2022 as a result, President Glen Hauenstein said during the carrier’s Q4 earnings call on January 13. United has been forced to park more than 100 small jets, end service to at least eight destinations, and suspend multiple routes due to the shortage with the airline informing many airports that it may not return until 2023. And American Airlines, while its schedule appears less impaired, CEO Doug Parker has confirmed that it too faces challenges hiring pilots at its wholly-owned regional affiliates.<br/>