PILOTS could be in short supply next summer. A conference organised by BALPA has been told that 700 new flight deck crew will be needed for 2006 in order to fill vacancies caused by expansion and retirements. This figure does not include Ryanair, always on the lookout for UK licensed personnel. As ever airlines from the Middle East and Asia are in the recruiting mood, well paid jobs for experienced people, Taiwan”s Air China, Cathay Pacific and Emirates, represented at the gathering. At present there still appears to be a pilot surplus but quite how many of those available would meet carrier qualifications standards remains in question.
http://www.balpa.org.uk