2015 corporate jet pilot shortage

A number of operators within the MENA region are experiencing an ever increasing shortage of pilots, according to Zenon Aviation Recruitment.
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Zenon have experienced an unprecedented 22% increase from 2013 to 2014 in the demand for their services in recruiting and supplying qualified type rated crews. These requirements have been for both long and short range corporate jet aircraft which has been as a result of the expansion of existing operators and new start-up organisations throughout the Gulf region.

This shortage of skilled crews within the region has created operational issues for some of their clients affecting the level of service they are able to supply. Consequently, these operators have to attract pilots from outside the region by offering improved benefits. Their recruitment campaigns have shown that when recruiting expatriate pilots for the Middle East, the pilot’s quality of life is now weighted higher in their decision making than the salary offered. For example pilots who are working two months on and one month off are now being offered by employers a more competitive rotation to attract them such as one month on, one month off, as it is more favourable to the pilot when it is compared to a higher salary.

Following the rotation offered is then the salary with the standard benefits of health insurance and furnished accommodation or a four or five star hotel. Zenon have experienced an increase in salaries for corporate jet Captains and First Officers of 15% in 2014 and predict a further increase as the demand for pilots will continue to exceed their availability in 2015. In answer to the shortage of available skilled crews, some operators have already requested the commencement of their recruitment campaigns now in order to attract expatriate crews required for the end of the first quarter and middle of next year.

Therefore aircraft operators need to be aware that with the increase in competition for skilled and qualified crews that are scarce in the Middle East, they will have to consider increasing and improving their employment offering. This will ensure the aircraft operators attract the new crews they require but most importantly retain their current crews that will consider moving for more favourable offers from their competition. By acting now in addressing the current salary and benefits aircraft operators offer their pilots, they will avoid losing their scarce and much needed pilot work force to the competition.