Skift - Edward Russell
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking proposals for $5 million in Aviation Workforce Development Grants, Buttigieg told the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee during a hearing on Tuesday. These funds aim to boost the supply of pilots, and complement initiatives by airlines and other industry players.
In response to a question from Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Buttigieg acknowledged that the situation is not new and was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Raymond James analyst Savanthi Syth estimated in April that U.S. airlines will hire roughly 13,000 new pilots annually this year and in 2023. However, the current training and certification process only produces roughly 5,000 to 7,000 new pilots per year. The balance are expected to come from regional airlines and, to a lesser degree, smaller airlines like Alaska and JetBlue.
