Ed Bastain, the CEO of Delta Airlines, said in regards to the availability of pilots “There is a looming shortage coming, it’s not here yet. But it’s on its way” at the US Travel Association’s “The Future of Travel Mobility” conference in Washington.

“The pandemic’s effect on travel – and the financial shortcuts that airlines and the entire industry were forced to make by offering early retirement, buyouts and layoffs – hit every aspect of travel-related businesses, including pilots.

Couple that with the fact that a growing number of pilots have, or are about to, step down after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65, and it’s a perfect storm for an imminent shortage.”

The news comes as numerous smaller airports in the US are forecasting smaller airline traffic operations due to airlines reducing routes (due to personnel issues).

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