Back in 2001, NetJets Europe might have considered a shortage of suitably qualified pilots to be a nice problem to face. At the time, the industry’s fractional ownership leader had no more than 80 clients in Europe–five years after having imported the concept from the U.S. But in 2006, the European operation achieved its first-ever net profit and now it is stepping up efforts to recruit some 180 pilots this year as it adds 24 aircraft to its fleet, including some of the 24 Dassault Falcon 7X trijets it ordered last September.
The aircraft due to arrive this year will bring the NetJets Europe fleet to almost 140, and more are due for delivery in 2008. The company admits that finding and retaining flight crew for this burgeoning operation has proved somewhat challenging–especially since it prides itself on employing pilots who are among the most experienced in the business. Last year, NetJets Europe acknowledged a flight crew turnover rate of 8 percent, with many pilots being lured to positions with Europe’s fast-growing low-cost airlines which have been offering attractive pay packages and more predictable working patterns.
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