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Commercial flights are taking off again
After major disruptions in the airline industry in the last couple of years, commercial flights are taking off once again and momentum is steadily building in several areas. As of late 2022, more flights are being booked, new trends are emerging in flight training and tourists are looking forward to getting back to their pre-pandemic plans with a new focus on safety and functionality.
The number of commercial flights is rising
As the pandemic started to take a toll on the world in 2020, many sectors began to evaluate the situation to minimise the impact on both businesses and consumers. When it came to airlines, industry sentiment was that, while losses were being experienced, the essence of travel would remain the same – and once the free movement was allowed, things would essentially pick up where they left off. Thus, it was expected that commercial flights will take off again!
At the time many were skeptical, but as 2023 approaches and there’s growth in the global industry, it’s clear that this wasn’t far off the mark. In fact, data provided by airline analytics over the past few months has depicted not only a steady recovery but minimal impact from other global issues such as the Ukraine war. According to Eurostat, commercial flight numbers increased by 25% in August 2022; and with around 597,000 flights recorded, this was just 14% below pre-pandemic levels of the same month in 2019.
The evolution of travel
There have been some major changes within the industry, however, with travel conditions and a new era of consumer needs, a fresh approach is required. For instance, there is still some uncertainty for travellers, so there has been a focus on the laws and regulations regarding safe flights. The good news is that institutions like the European Union have been working hard to ensure that both airlines and passengers are aware of the ever-changing measures.
It seems that destinations such as Spain, Italy, Thailand and the US are just as popular for domestic and international flights, but places like the UK, Mexico, South Africa and even South Korea are on the rise this year. To both keep up with demand and remain compliant, major global airlines are seeing the necessity to invest in more modern fleets and extensive flight training programs, to implement better-functioning, more responsive technology, hire flexible and more capable personnel and even upgrade their locations and facilities.
With these factors in mind, flight schools are now working hard to collaborate with airlines to ensure that they are fully able to present the right candidates to meet evolving needs. Egnatia Aviation is one of the main European flight schools to bring a blend of outstanding mentorship alongside top educational resources for all of its students.
The crucial need for more skilled airline pilots
One of the largest considerations for airlines moving forward is pilot demand and the shortage of skilled airline pilots, as well as how the number is predicted to grow in the next decade. Boeing has estimated a need for around 602,000 new commercial pilots worldwide, in accordance with the annual Boeing Pilot and Technician Outlook. Thus, commercial flights are rising in numbers, but there is a pilot shortage.
Demand is not currently meeting supply for a myriad of reasons; firstly, many skilled pilots are reaching retirement age. As the industry has been somewhat restrictive in the past, more and more pilots are simply ageing out of their roles. When you combine this with technological advancements and updated fleets, it soon becomes apparent that a younger, more diverse workforce is going to be necessary to tackle the looming deficit.
As airlines are expanding to meet the needs of travelers and any restrictions posed, it’s also now extremely important for pilots to feel engaged and connected within a larger workforce than just a few decades ago. As a result, a blend of both technical and soft skills will be necessary for successful candidates. A few key qualities are:
- Mathematical and technical skills
- Situational awareness and spacial orientation
- The ability to think creatively and act under pressure
- Leadership skills with good communication
- Confidence and a good attitude
- Good self-discipline
- The ability to work as part of a team
Flight schools are becoming increasingly crucial in the industry’s endeavours to remain relevant and to continue to provide up-to-date, functional services, thus choosing the right one is imperative. Egnatia is shaping the pilots of tomorrow with highly qualified instructors and some of Europe’s leading facilities (including a well-equipped airport and access to a secondary airport for instrument training) alongside a broad range of courses.
Egnatia Aviation is top in selection by prospect pilots
As one of Europe’s top 5 accredited flight schools, the courses on offer are comprehensive, internationally recognised and designed to give new pilots all the skills they need to enter the industry. There are plenty to choose from, but the Airline Integrated Course, for example, offers theoretical as well as technical and non-technical skills that work to develop the necessary aptitude and expertise that airlines expect from their new pilots and future captains.
Egnatia has an outstanding record of employment, collaborating with Wizz Air, Iraqi Airways and Aegean Airlines. With over 2,550 pilots trained, this academy boasts a 95.7% employment rate (within 1 year of graduation) and over 60 alumni flying in 61 different countries.
Prospective trainee pilots can expect a diverse educational experience and a more well-rounded introduction into the industry with Egnatia, as this flight school also participates in conferences and globally recognised workshops, including the EATS (European Airline Training Symposium), Athens Flying Week, Industry workgroups (with the presence of ATPG & EASA), Major Airshows such as the Dubai Airshow, Aero Friedrichshafen, the Bahrain Airshow and the Kuwait Airshow, IAAPS (International Association of Aviation Personnel Schools) annual meeting, PilotExpo; Europe’s largest independent flight training exhibition and more.
If you are looking for a well-established and respected flight school, you can contact us today to ask for a presentation and
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