New Zealand Air Line Pilots Association concerned about pilot shortage

27 July, 2018

New Zealand Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) expressed concerned about an industry wide pilot labour shortage (NZ Herald, 27-Jul-2018). ALPA president Tim Robinson said financial and structural barriers were threatening the sustainability of pilot supply in New Zealand. The overall growth rate in aviation graduates was only around 2%-3% of the total number of commercial pilots in New Zealand, ALPA noted, with Mr Robinson commenting: "'This pales in comparison to around 10 per cent which the international and domestic airlines are experiencing, in this prolonged and impressive growth cycle". Mr Robinson said there was no current shortage of people wanting to work as pilots, and importantly, train in New Zealand for an aviation career. ''It's the financial and structural barriers that exist which is threatening the sustainability of pilot supply", he explained.