CAE expects pilot job market to recover by late 2021

LONDON - Flight training provider CAE expects a robust return of pilot demand as early as late 2021. According to its recently updated market outlook, the global airline pilot population will grow from 333,000 in 2019 to 426,000 by 2029 - with a wave of retirements brightening career prospects for young pilots.

Covid-19 turned to pilot job market from boom to gloom as airlines are forced to keep their fleets grounded furlough staff. Yet, the Canadian flight training provider sees limited long-term effects of the current crisis on pilot career prospects.

"CAE’s analysis shows that the fundamental factors influencing pilot demand prior to the Covid-19 outbreak remain unchanged", the company writes in its recently updated market outlook. "Age-based retirement and fleet growth were, and are expected to remain, the main drivers of pilot demand."

CAE investigated market data as airlines and operators are navigating the current downturn in passenger air travel and are pursuing recovery strategies following the outbreak of the global pandemic.

"Acute demand" for 27,000 new pilots

While the demand for pilots has decreased significantly during 2020, the CAE analysis expects the active pilot population is expected to return to 2019 levels in 2022.

"This is expected to drive an acute demand for pilots, resulting in an estimated short-term need for approximately 27,000 new professional pilots starting in late 2021," CAE said. Among the 333,000 active airline pilots of 2019, 126,000 will retire in this decade. CAE expects industry growth to add another 93,000 airline pilots jobs to the global total by 2029.