Airlines
Chinese Airlines Scrambling To Hire Foreign Pilots
Carriers desperate to address worsening shortage of cockpit crew
A Chengdu Airlines Airbus A319 approaches Chongqing Jianbei International Airport. Some 80 percent of Chengdu Airlines’ pilots train in the U.S., Australia and Europe. (Photo: Flickr: Creative Commons (BY-SA) by byeangel)
A Chengdu Airlines Airbus A319 approaches Chongqing Jianbei International Airport. Some 80 percent of Chengdu Airlines’ pilots train in the U.S., Australia and Europe. (Photo: Flickr: Creative Commons (BY-SA) by byeangel)

Chinese airlines continue to hire foreign pilots at a record pace in an effort to address a shortage of experienced flight crew caused by the rapid expansion of both the local commercial and civil aviation industries. While authorities estimate Chinese airlines will need 2,800 to 3,000 pilots annually over the next five years, the 12 flying schools across China produce an average of only 1,200 per year.


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