As Aviation Rebounds, So Does the Need for Pilots
U.S. airlines hired nearly 11,000 pilots last year, according to AIR Inc., an aviation careers consulting firm.
Through November, airlines had hired 9,771 pilots. When December figures come in, that number is expected to grow to between 10,500 to 10,700, said AIR Inc. president and co-founder Kit Darby.
It's the "best year since 9/11," Darby said.
Hiring in 2006 is expected to be equal to or better than 2005, he said.
Major airlines are forecasting a need to hire about 2,500 pilots this year.
In 2005, national carriers did the bulk of the hiring. Through November, they had hired 3,026 pilots. That was followed by major carriers, jet operators and non-jet operators.
Cargo companies, fractional ownership companies and low-cost carriers are doing well. They're the "new group of winners," Darby said.
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