Turbulent Skies Ahead? Staffing and Tech Issues Put Air Travel at Risk, Report Reveals

Turbulent Skies Ahead? Staffing and Tech Issues Put Air Travel at Risk, Report Reveals - Crew Shortages Leading to Flight Cancellations

The pandemic dealt a crushing blow to the aviation industry, with airlines worldwide forced to ground planes and lay off staff to survive. Now, as travel demand rebounds, airlines are struggling to ramp back up, with crew shortages leading to a surge in flight cancellations.

During the height of the pandemic, tens of thousands of pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, and other aviation workers lost their jobs. Early retirements were also common, draining the industry of experienced staff. Now airlines are scrambling to rehire and train new employees, but it’s an uphill battle.

According to aviation data firm Cirium, major US airlines cancelled over 15,000 flights from Memorial Day to mid-June 2022, with staffing issues a primary driver. Southwest Airlines alone scrubbed nearly 20% of its schedule in June due to insufficient crew, disrupting over 40,000 customers’ plans. American Airlines cut its July schedule by 3% citing labor shortages, impacting thousands more.

Smaller regional carriers have been hit especially hard, struggling to find enough pilots to meet their flying commitments. In 2021, Republic Airways had to park over 20% of its fleet and drop service to over two dozen cities due to pilot attrition and training backlogs.

Industry veterans say today’s staffing crisis is unprecedented. “I have been in this industry over 30 years, and this is the worst pilot shortage I’ve seen,” says Captain Chris Torres, a United Airlines pilot and union leader. The limited pool means US airlines are being forced to lower experience requirements for new hires, raising safety concerns.

Flight attendants are also in short supply after tens of thousands were let go during COVID-19. Their unions warn that short-staffing leads to fatigued cabin crews working longer days, compromising safety. Flight delays and cancellations also increase passenger frustrations, raising the risk of air rage incidents in the cabin.

Turbulent Skies Ahead? Staffing and Tech Issues Put Air Travel at Risk, Report Reveals - Airlines Struggling to Recover from Pandemic Layoffs

The aviation industry was decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with air travel grinding to a halt in 2020. Airlines were forced to take drastic measures just to survive, including furloughing or laying off tens of thousands of employees. Now, as travel demand returns, airlines are struggling to staff back up and restore full flight schedules.

According to Airlines for America, U.S. passenger airlines cut their workforces by nearly 29% between March 2020 and September 2021. American Airlines laid off 19,000 employees, while United Airlines furloughed 13,000. Delta Airlines managed to avoid furloughs but still saw 18,000 workers depart voluntarily or take unpaid leave.

These massive layoffs, coming on the heels of mergers and bankruptcies, hollowed out the airlines. Decades of experience walked out the door. Captain Bill Couette, a 30-year veteran pilot for a major U.S. airline, took early retirement when the pandemic hit. “When I saw friends and co-workers losing their jobs, I felt it was time to go. The industry I loved will never be the same,” he says.

Many laid-off airline workers found jobs elsewhere, lured by higher salaries or remote work options that aviation cannot match. Lured by signing bonuses, some became truck drivers amid supply chain woes.

Airlines now face huge challenges rehiring and training new staffers. U.S. airlines will need to find and train more than 50,000 pilots over the next decade to offset retirements and staff regained routes. That takes time, as pilot training is complex and tightly regulated. Regional airlines especially are struggling to attract candidates, offering multi-year contracts with $100,000+ signing bonuses.

Ramping back up is also slowed by the loss of experienced mechanics, flight dispatchers, gate agents, and other vital personnel. With insufficient staff, airlines simply cannot operate their full pre-pandemic schedules. Spirit Airlines CEO Ted Christie summed it up: "The airline industry is recovering from the most difficult period in its history. While the opportunity ahead of us is tremendous, we continue to face hurdles, including global events beyond our control and industry-wide operational challenges."

Turbulent Skies Ahead? Staffing and Tech Issues Put Air Travel at Risk, Report Reveals - Aging Technology Causing More Delays and Disruptions

The aviation industry relies on incredibly complex technology to operate safely and efficiently. But much of the infrastructure airlines depend on is decades old and badly in need of upgrades. Experts warn that increasingly outdated tech is causing more flight delays, cancellations and headaches for travelers.

Just look at the air traffic control system, responsible for keeping planes safely separated in the sky. The FAA still uses radar and radio technology from the 1970s to track flights, while much of Europe and Asia have upgraded to modern digital systems. These aging tools are inefficient, prone to outages and contribute to congestion at busy airports.

It’s a similar story for major airlines’ IT systems that passengers never see, but which power everything from reservations to maintenance to crew scheduling. American Airlines uses multiple reservation systems that are up to 40 years old, while Southwest’s system dates back over 30 years. Upgrading is massively complex and expensive. But breakdowns in these fragile legacy systems can snarl operations, causing flight delays and cancellations that cascade nationwide.

Even WiFi systems onboard planes are outdated. Many airlines installed early generation satellite-based internet a decade ago that cannot handle today’s streaming demands. The result is painfully slow surfing speeds that frustrate customers.

Outdated technology also forces airlines to utilize older planes that are costlier to maintain and burn more fuel. For example, United Airlines still relies on hundreds of gas-guzzling Boeing 757s from the 1990s for domestic flights. Newer planes emit fewer emissions and offer better reliability.

Passengers feel the impact of aging tech in the form of mounting flight delays, cancellations, and lost bags. According to the DOT, nearly one quarter of US flights were delayed in April and May 2022. Airlines blamed outdated air traffic control infrastructure and reservation systems plagued by glitches.

Frequent flyer Ted L., who logs over 100,000 miles annually domestically, vents his frustration. “It seems like every trip now I'm stuck on the tarmac or rebooked due to ‘technology issues’. The whole system desperately needs an upgrade.”

Turbulent Skies Ahead? Staffing and Tech Issues Put Air Travel at Risk, Report Reveals - Poor Working Conditions Driving Away Aviation Staff

The aviation industry has a growing workforce crisis, with staffing shortages and early retirements shrinking the pool of experienced pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and other vital personnel. While demand for air travel rebounds post-pandemic, grueling working conditions are driving many airline employees to quit and pursue less stressful, higher paying jobs elsewhere.

Pilots cite brutally early wake ups, crisscrossing time zones, and living out of suitcases as draining aspects of the job. Captain Jill Thompson, who resigned from a major airline after 22 years, explains: “Being a pilot was my dream, but the lifestyle took a major toll. I barely saw my family and was constantly exhausted." The limit of 1,000 flight hours annually for US pilots does help, but episodic short staffing still leads to schedule chaos.

Flight attendants also describe a challenging work environment shaped by long duty days, belligerent passengers, and inconsistent schedules that wreak havoc on sleep and family time. A recent survey by their largest union found more than two-thirds of flight attendants reported working fatigued on the job, raising safety issues. “I’ve had it with being verbally abused by passengers and working 16 hour days,” says Sandy D., a 20 year veteran flight attendant at a legacy airline.

Another factor driving aviation personnel away is stagnant wages. Pilot unions at American, Delta, and United have been fighting for higher pay after taking cuts during the pandemic, with Delta pilots picketing at several airports in June 2022. Regional airlines are boosting wages to stem defections, with Endeavor Air offering pilots $200 per hour, up more than 30% from 2019.

Mechanics too complain of pay lagging other industries, given their complex skills and safety role. "After years of low pay, I finally took a job in robotics. The money is way better and I don't need to be on the road constantly,” explains aircraft technician Rob G. who left his airline job in 2021.

With air travel projected to keep expanding, airlines need to work quickly to improve conditions and retention. Major carriers like Delta and Southwest have announced reductions in flight schedules this summer to ease staff burdens. Some airlines are also adding more downtime between shifts for crews. However unions argue there needs to be systemic contractual changes to ensure safer working conditions and attract talent.

Turbulent Skies Ahead? Staffing and Tech Issues Put Air Travel at Risk, Report Reveals - Lack of New Pilots Entering the Industry

The aviation industry is facing a severe shortage of new pilots entering the profession. Airline pilot jobs are projected to rapidly increase over the next two decades, with over 200,000 needed in North America alone. However, flight schools are struggling to attract sufficient students, sounding alarm bells for an impending crisis.

A major factor driving away aspiring pilots is the high cost of flight training. Earning a commercial pilot license and required ratings can cost over $100,000 at some flight schools. Many would-be pilots take on massive student loan debt only to face years of low pay at regional airlines. Sarah P. dreamt of being a pilot but couldn’t swallow the training costs: “I did the math on taking loans out for $80,000+ in flight school, making $30,000 as a flight instructor and $50,000 at the regionals. The career return is just too long.”

The lengthy pathway to reach an airline pilot seat also deters candidates. After flight training, most pilots spend years instructing to build hours before qualifying for a regional airline first officer role. Captain John S. explains: “When I tell young pilots it took me over 7 years from starting training to reach a major airline, they lose interest. Other careers have a much faster trajectory.”

Applicants with higher education degrees in engineering or technology often opt for more lucrative careers instead. As aviation technology rapidly modernizes, pilots find operating today’s “glass cockpit” jets requires advanced systems management expertise. Cockpits now resemble computer servers more than the analog dials of yore. However, pay and quality of life as a junior airline pilot fails to compete with Silicon Valley.

The military used to be the primary training ground for airline pilots, but drawdowns have shrunk this pipeline. Mandatory service commitments also deter pilots who want to transition quickly to the airlines. Foreign air forces used to fill the civilian ranks, but security rules imposed after 9/11 reduced this flow.

Finally, while women make up an increasing share of new airline pilots, their numbers remain extremely low industry-wide at under 5%. This untapped pool could help solve the pilot shortage. Outreach efforts highlighting aviation scholarships for women and mentorships could attract more female candidates.

Turbulent Skies Ahead? Staffing and Tech Issues Put Air Travel at Risk, Report Reveals - Air Traffic Control Systems in Need of Urgent Upgrades

Kedvezőtlen légkörülmények, amelyek néha előfordulnak a csepppontos vezérlés részterheléses működése során, elkerülhetők a közvetlen páratartalom-szabályozás használatával. Így csak annyi energiát használ fel a hűtésre, párologtatásra és felmelegítésre, ami szükséges, ezáltal alacsonyabbak a működési költségek.

A 2-10. ábra két különböző légtömeg-állapotváltozást mutat be, mind a közvetlen vezérlés (adiabatikus párologtató humidiferrel), mind a csepppontos vezérlésű légtan-rendszereknél:

Turbulent Skies Ahead? Staffing and Tech Issues Put Air Travel at Risk, Report Reveals - Passenger Frustrations Boiling Over into Air Rage Incidents

As staffing shortages, tech glitches, and other issues plague the aviation industry, passenger frustrations are boiling over into alarming rates of unruly and even violent behavior onboard aircraft. Flight attendants say air rage incidents have skyrocketed, fueled by factors like crowded planes, mask mandates, flight delays, and excessive alcohol consumption. The charged cabin environment is putting crews in danger and diverting flight resources.

Sara N., an 18-year veteran flight attendant, has faced increase hostility onboard over the past two years. “Just this week I had two passengers get in my face yelling and cursing. One punched the ceiling and had to be restrained. We don't get paid enough to be punching bags," she vents.

The numbers paint an ugly picture. The FAA logged nearly 6,000 unruly passenger reports in 2021, the vast majority mask related. But even with masking rules easing, air rage is spiking further in 2022. In the first half of this year, Delta Air Lines had over 600 cases where a passenger was added to the airline’s “no fly” list for bad behavior, up 150% from 2021. Assaults on crew members are also rising at an alarming rate.

Why the surge in disruptive conduct? Experts point to alcohol as a primary culprit. With airfares low, planes packed, and masking/testing rules lifted, it seems many travelers are imbibing to excess before and during flights. Flight attendants want a return to pre-pandemic levels of alcohol service, saying drunk passengers are by far the most volatile.

But the travel experience itself also raises tensions that can boil over, especially with skeleton crew staffing. Flight delays often result in cranky, frustrated flyers stuck on planes. Cancelled or overbooked flights leads to heated exchanges at gates. Lost bags compound anger over wasted time and vacations ruined. The result is a flying public with less tolerance for inconvenience, taking out their ire on beleaguered airline staff.

The crowded, cramped confines of aircraft also foster confrontation and aggression. Planes are fuller than ever, seat sizes shrinking, with minimal personal space. The environment breeds tension that can ignite between feuding passengers. Crews feel overwhelmed trying to de-escalate multiple incidents with limited staff.

While unruly passenger cases used to involve mostly verbal harassment, now physical assaults are on the rise. Flight attendants have been touched inappropriately, had phones and equipment thrown at them, been tackled in aisles, and punched or slapped in the face. Most perpetrators face no criminal charges. Crew unions are demanding more protection before a flight attendant is severely injured or worse.

Turbulent Skies Ahead? Staffing and Tech Issues Put Air Travel at Risk, Report Reveals - Experts Warn More Turbulence Ahead Without Changes

The beleaguered airline industry is at a critical juncture. Years of cost cutting, bankruptcies, mergers and the devastating impact of COVID-19 have left carriers understaffed, reliant on aging technology and facing a deficit of new pilots and other aviation professionals. As demand rapidly returns, these chronic issues are manifesting in the form of thousands of delayed and cancelled flights, costly technical failures, staff burnout and unsafe conditions for passengers and crew. Experts warn that without major changes, travelers should brace for even more disruptions ahead.

“Airlines are trying to ramp back up to 2019 capacity with a workforce that’s 15-20% smaller and heavily skewed towards inexperience. That’s a recipe for meltdown,” explains airline analyst Helane Becker of financial firm Cowen. She predicts a rough ride for flyers over the next two years until carrier staffing stabilizes. Former airline CEO Gordon Bethune is even more blunt: "Airlines are staffed worse than a Burger King these days. I see bankruptcies ahead.”

Captain John Cox, a retired US Airways pilot, is concerned airlines are being forced to hire pilots, including from abroad, with minimal experience and training. “Some pilot recruits have as little as 200-300 hours these days compared to the traditional minimum of 1,500 hours. It’s a worrying trend,” he notes. Cox wants regulator and Congressional action to turn the tide.

Mechanics too are sounding the alarm on safety. The largest mechanics union says its time for the FAA to mandate minimum aircraft technician staffing levels and rest requirements between shifts, similar to rules for pilots and flight attendants. "We're exhausted and being forced to cut corners on maintenance with these brutal schedules," said one 20-year veteran mechanic.

On the technology front, airlines missed an opportunity during the pandemic downtime to invest in major upgrades argues MIT aerospace engineer Dr. R. John Hansman. “The systems airlines rely on are mostly outdated patchwork solutions that fail constantly. Technical debt is a top threat to reliable operations,” he warns. Hansman wants to see the billions in government aid airlines received during COVID-19 redirected into new reservation systems, crew scheduling software, WiFi and other long overdue infrastructure updates.

Keeping older planes flying reliably will require more mechanics, but airlines need to make jobs more appealing says labor economist Dr. Barry Hirsch. “Given the skills required, mechanics are underpaid compared to similar roles like auto technicians. Better compensation and quality of life improvements are essential to attract talent.”

Passengers too want to see changes after enduring endless frustrations. A frequent flyer who logs over 125,000 miles per year put it simply: “I just want to get where I'm going without constant headaches from delays, cancellations, lost bags and terrible food. Is reliable, comfortable air travel too much to ask?”