Why is there an airline staffing shortage? – new video uploaded to AP Video Hub

In the video, he explains what factors led to the shortage of airline staff and what obstacles exist as airlines address the issue. This video can be found at https://apvideohub.ap.org/detail/Whyisthereanairlinestaffingshortage/a0f642776bad4656ad12e1dbefc2a5f4. All videos in the Campus Insights series are free for download and use by all AP members and can be found at apvideohub.ap.org or by doing a general search on the Associated Press site. AP members may use the video or pull quotes for print article or for broadcast or podcast.

STORYLINE:

Suckow says the current shortage goes back two decades, starting with the reaction to 9/11. He says socioeconomic factors, including the global recession, coronavirus pandemic and airline restructuring, have created the issues seen today. These disruptions have accelerated the retirement of airline personnel ahead of industry expectations. Suckow says the biggest barrier to replacing this workforce is cost. Training new professionals in the airline industry is expensive and takes time. This makes it difficult for airlines to keep pace with rising demand as commercial air travel returns to prepandemic levels. Suckow says airlines could take between three and six years to recover, assuming nothing else happens to disrupt the industry.