Airlines, Pilots Disagree on Pilot Shortage
A hearing on Capitol Hill underscored the discord over pilot supply and how to address it.
Wednesday's testimony in the U.S. Congress reflected differences in opinion on the existence of a pilot shortage.(Photo: Pixabay)
Wednesday's testimony in the U.S. Congress reflected differences in opinion on the existence of a pilot shortage.(Photo: Pixabay)

The state of pilot supply came under scrutiny in the House Aviation Subcommittee on Wednesday as industry stakeholders who testified disagreed about whether a shortage exists and whether measures such as raising the mandatory retirement age for airlines would help.

Regional Airline Association president and CEO Faye Malarkey Black in testimony called the situation “devastating” and said that despite soaring passenger demand, the shortage is decimating small community air service. She said the shortage has been growing for decades, with a chief issue stemming from the FAA’s slow action on advancing pilot training standards.