Did you know the aviation industry will need 120,000 new pilots in North America alone over the next 20 years? Yet, flight training schools can’t keep up with the demand.
I have been in the aviation business for decades, as was my father and as is my son. Although we’ve seen an occasional blip, the pilot shortage has been a reality since commercial flight became available to the public. If the pilot shortage is on your radar, continue reading to learn more.

The Global Pilot Shortage: History, Causes, and Future Concerns
The aviation industry continues to face significant challenges as the pilot shortage around the world remains a critical issue. It has intensified, impacting commercial aviation, military operations, and regional carriers. This article explores the history, causes, and effects of the pilot shortage while speculating about the future outlook.
The History of Pilot Shortages
The first real pilot shortage crisis occurred in World War I and again in WW II. The aviation industry was relatively new, and commercial airlines didn’t really get going until the 1920s. So, the pilot shortage in the military was the first. They recruited and trained pilots, including my father. My dad became a flight instructor in the military and retired as a Colonel. However, many of these pilots returned after the war to fly in the private sector.
Contributing factors to the current shortage include the mass retirement of baby boomer pilots, changes in FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) regulations, and declining enrollments in training programs since the early 2000s. Over time, these trends have led to a pressing issue for the aviation industry.

Main Causes of the Pilot Shortage
A number of factors may dissuade aspiring aviators. Some worry about the work-life balance, as piloting comes with mental and physical demand despite the shorter work hours. Other factors contributing to the shortage include:
- Retirement Rates: There has been a surge in retiring pilots as many reach the FAA-mandated retirement age of 65. This has led to a significant gap. Congress attempted to raise the mandated age to 67 but was unsuccessful.
- Training Costs: The cost of becoming a pilot, which can exceed $100,000, acts as a major deterrent for potential cadets. At Epic, we keep flight training costs as low as possible by: 1) purchasing brand new training aircraft to reduce maintenance issues and 2) using simulators to reduce fuel costs. We also offer student loans and scholarships.
- Global Demand: The U.S. is not the only place with a pilot shortage. Rapid growth in jet demand and pilot needs, especially in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, continues to outpace the availability of qualified pilots. As you can see in the chart I shared above, demand has only diminished during the pandemic.
- Military Impact: The Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Coast Guard have also experienced shortages of aviators. This drains the overall talent pool as would-be commercial pilots enlist in the military to receive free training.
- Pandemic Effects: COVID-19 led to widespread furloughs, and many experienced pilots did not return to the workforce. Also, many people who would have enrolled in flight school at that time could not due to travel restrictions, quarantine rules, etc.

Impact of the Pilot Shortage
The pilot shortage has far-reaching consequences for the aviation industry, including flight schools. These include:
- Commercial Aviation: Airlines such as American Airlines and United Airlines have reduced routes and postponed expansions due to a lack of pilots. United has even launched the Aviate Program to recruit pilots during flight training. Many Epic pilots are currently enrolled in Aviate.
- Regional Airlines: Smaller carriers struggle to compete with larger airlines that offer higher salaries and better benefits. We regularly host career seminars at Epic for various regionals to recruit Epic pilots.
- Military Preparedness: Limited pilot availability has hindered military training and operations. All branches continue to actively recruit to assure and maintain military readiness. Check out airforce.com for much more on this.
- Flight Schools: With the shortage and generous salaries, flight schools like Epic have experienced increased enrollment. However, this has led to a greater demand for qualified flight instructors.
- Economic Costs: The shortage has contributed to delays, cancellations, and diminished global connectivity. This results in substantial economic losses across the board.

Efforts to Address the Shortage
During my years in the aviation industry, I’ve seen many way to address this, including coaxing eligible pilots out of retirement or away from other jobs. However, the most common efforts continue to be:
- Increased Salaries: Airlines, particularly regional carriers, have raised pay for pilots and offered signing bonuses to attract talent. The median pilot salary in 2016 was $127,820. By 2023, it had increased to $219,140!
- Expanded Training Programs: Initiatives to subsidize or fully fund pilot training are gaining momentum. This helps reduce or eliminate barriers for aspiring aviators. For example, US-Bangla Airlines sends its cadets to Epic for training to ensure a pipeline of pilots.
- Policy Reforms: Congress continues to discuss extending the retirement age and revising minimum flight hour requirements. Currently, U.S. pilots must log 1,500 hours of flight time before flying commercial passenger jets. However, in other countries, it’s as few as 200 hours. The “1500 rule” is always a hot topic with pilots.
- International Recruitment: Airlines are increasingly turning to international markets, particularly in Asia and the Middle East, to fill vacancies. However, those regions are also looking for pilots!
- Targeted Recruitment: Organizations like Women in Aviation International, Latino Pilots Association, and Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals provide scholarships and mentors to encourage people who are traditionally underrepresented in aviation careers.
How Bad Is the Pilot Shortage?
Is the pilot shortage a myth? No, it is a tangible issue with regional and nuanced variations. While skepticism persists in some circles, such as Reddit discussions, data from the FAA indicates that the global demand for pilots will exceed supply by tens of thousands by 2027. Some relevant statistics on the pilot shortage include:
- Over the next 20 years, North American airlines will need 120,000 new pilots total.
- Zooming in a bit, Asia will see the greatest need for pilots in 2029 with 22,000 expected openings. North America will need 20,000 that same year. The Middle East will need 12,000+ and European airlines will need around 4,000 pilots.
Although some airlines had to slow down pilot hiring due to the challenges at Boeing to supply aircraft, this had nothing to do with demand for flights.

Future Outlook for Pilots
Would you trust an AI or autonomous pilot over a human one? Despite current challenges, the future for pilots is always optimistic. There are lots of conversations about AI and drones replacing pilots. Can this happen?
When elevator operators went out on strike in New York City in 1945, the city nearly shut down because people were afraid to ride the elevators without operators. How soon do you think passengers will be ready to book a flight on an unmanned aircraft?
Projections suggest the demand for jets and pilots will continue to grow. This is particularly true in emerging markets where people are quickly acquiring a taste for air travel.
Advances in aviation technology may streamline operations, but they will not eliminate the need for human pilots any time soon. Efforts to modernize pilot training pipelines should continue to strengthen the industry’s resilience. In my experience, aviation has always been a collaborative industry, and we see that now more than ever. Worth noting:
- There is an expected shortfall of 24,000 pilots in the U.S. in 2026 and not much better in 2027.

News Articles About the Pilot Shortage
It seems like every time I open an email, it’s sharing more news on the pilot shortage. Here are a few highlights to show past trends in the pilot shortage:
- Jan. 7, 2025 – Quartz expects worsening pilot shortage as hiring pipeline shrinks.
- Sept. 17, 2024 – U.S. Air Force calls pilot shortage a “chronic problem.”
- July 22, 2024 – Boeing projects global need for 674,000 pilots through 2043.
- April 19, 2023 – CNN reports a “tsunami” of pilot retirements that will worsen the pilot shortage.
- July 1, 2022 – NPR predicts the pilot shortage will add to summer travel chaos.
Final Thoughts: Why is there still a pilot shortage?
How long will the pilot shortage last and why is it still going on? It will last at least for the foreseeable future despite valiant efforts to recruit and train qualified pilots. This a complex issue and requires all hands on deck. However, the aviation industry’s adaptability and approaches to recruitment, training, and retention continue to offer hope for a future when no flight is cancelled because a pilot is not available.
If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a pilot, now is the perfect time. I invite you to consider attending Epic Flight Academy. Be a part of the pilot shortage solution! See if you’re eligible to become an Epic pilot: