Swiss International Air Lines grapples with Pilot Shortage, Cancels Flights Amidst Post-Pandemic Recovery
Zurich, Switzerland - Swiss International Air lines (Swiss) is facing a notable pilot shortage, a challenge stemming from pandemic-era disruptions to training programs and exacerbated by a surge in passenger demand. While the airline’s flight school, the European Flight Academy in Granges (SO), is operating at full capacity with approximately 100 students per cohort, the number of qualified pilots remains insufficient to meet current operational needs.
The root of the problem lies in the temporary suspension of pilot training during the COVID-19 pandemic.Training programs were halted in 2020 and only resumed in the summer of 2022. This delay created a backlog that Swiss is now struggling to overcome as air travel rebounds sharply. The consequences have been felt by passengers,with approximately 1,400 flights - representing 1.5% of the scheduled program – canceled during the summer months.
Swiss has been reticent to publicly disclose the exact number of pilot vacancies. Though, the strain on existing flight crews is a growing concern, according to Aeropers, the Swiss pilot union. “The flight plan is operating at 100% capacity,” explains Clemens Kopetz, president of Aeropers, “but many of our colleagues are reporting unsustainable workloads.”
Part-Time Work Contributes to the Challenge
Compounding the shortage is a growing trend towards part-time work among Swiss pilots. Currently, 40% of the airline’s pilots are employed on a part-time basis, further reducing the available pool of flight crew. While Swiss is actively pursuing external recruitment, the competition for experienced pilots is fierce.
“We’ve had success recruiting pilots for the Airbus A320 fleet,” notes Stefan-Kenan Scheib, a member of the SWISS air farm, “but finding qualified candidates for the Airbus A330 has proven more challenging.We are continuing our search, but we are facing strong competition from other airlines globally.” This recruitment challenge is occurring even as parent company Lufthansa plans to hire 10,000 new employees in 2025, with 1,000 positions earmarked for Swiss.
despite the current difficulties, optimism prevails within the european Flight academy. “I see a positive trajectory, especially with the modernization of the fleet, including the introduction of the new Airbus A350,” says Janis Zurbriggen, a 21-year-old pilot student from Haut-Valais who began his training in 2024.He anticipates earning his Line pilot license next year.
However, industry analysts predict the pilot shortage will persist in the short to medium term. To mitigate further disruptions, Swiss is relying on partnerships with other airlines to supplement it’s flight crews. The airline assures passengers it is indeed taking all possible measures to avoid additional flight cancellations during the upcoming winter season.
“The flight plan is operating at 100% capacity, but many of our colleagues are reporting unsustainable workloads.” – Clemens Kopetz, President of aeropers
The situation highlights the broader challenges facing the aviation industry as it recovers from the pandemic, emphasizing the critical need for proactive investment in pilot training and workforce planning to ensure sustainable growth.
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