Aviation sector faces hiring headache as mechanics shortage looms

Christophe Gagnon considered quitting his avionics studies as COVID-19 crippled aviation, but the 21-year-old stayed in class and now the industry is desperate for more like him to keep planes flying. Two years after lockdowns nearly grounded the airline industry, repair shops and suppliers are scrambling for students like Gagnon, who received multiple job offers while still at the École nationale d'aérotechnique in Canada's aerospace hub, Quebec. The hiring rush is evidence of a sharper than expected recovery in air travel, but also signals a looming labor shortage that is raising costs and could push up repair times as the industry stages an awkward recovery from its worst crisis. Shortages are on the minds of executives at the Farnborough Airshow near London, this year's largest aerospace expo, which starts on July 18. While a shortage of plane cabin staff has dominated headlines due to recent flight cancellations, finding mechanics also has executives sweating. Roughly $84b is expected in spending this year on maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft, according to Naveo Consultancy. "We are struggling in a big way. We can't get enough (workers)," said Abdol Moabery, CE of commercial aerospace company GA Telesis LLC. Despite offering raises upwards of 10%, Telesis is working harder to retain labor as soaring housing prices in the company's South Florida location lead some workers to eye offers in more affordable areas. The high-margin services industry is attractive for planemakers like Boeing, as air travel rebounds. In 2021, the US planemaker forecast the global industry's need for 626,000 new maintenance technicians over the next two decades compared with 612,000 pilots.<br/>