Airline staffing shortages, which are already disrupting summer vacation plans, could extend well into 2023, some industry officials say.
The disruptions are happening everywhere as borders reopen between places like the U.S., Europe and Australia, unleashing two years of pent-up demand.
Flashback: Early in the pandemic, airlines urged many senior pilots, flight attendants and other employees to take buyouts or early retirements, anticipating the industry would shrink and take some time to crawl back.
What’s happening: U.S. airlines are offering bigger paychecks in the hopes of easing the labor crunch.
Yes, but: higher labor rates could also accelerate the phaseout of smaller regional jets, leaving some smaller markets unconnected to large hub airports.
Meanwhile, Alaska and United both opened flight training schools earlier this year and are offering financial aid to help defray the $70,000 cost of becoming a pilot.
The bottom line: Despite the staff shortages and enormous economic headwinds, revenge traveldemand remains strong, giving airlines hope for a modest return to profitability this year.