Asian airline's growth: Shortage of pilots hits Australia's airline industry

The shortage of pilots across Australia has become so acute some airlines are being forced to scour the former Eastern Bloc for recruits, while others are being forced to reduce the number of routes they fly.
With the shortage being blamed on the growth of airlines in Australia and Asia, some aviation businesses have closed.
After blaming Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Blue for “raiding” regional airlines, flying schools and aviation businesses, the country’s second-largest regional airline, Rex, became so desperate it sent its chief pilot to Ukraine in July to look for recruits.
“We did not have a lot of luck. We did have a problem with language,” said the airline’s chief of staff, Jim Davis, noting the airline would look for pilots in English-speaking countries.
Mr Davis said Rex had lost 20 per cent of its pilots in the past three months to larger airlines, compared to the 18 per cent that left last financial year. Rex says its pilot shortage had lifted its cancellation rates to four times historic levels and it will have to stop flying on some routes if the problem continues.
He predicted 1800 airline pilots would be needed in the next two years to keep up with Australia’s airline industry. On average, only 380 airline pilot licences are granted each year.
Qantas estimates it will need 300 pilots in the next two years. Jetstar says it will need 200. Virgin Blue, which has 561, says it will “need several hundred” more over the next five years.
13/10/07 Scott Rochfort/The Age, Australia