Reframing the pilot shortage: Why owning the pipeline is the key

The annual forecast of a global pilot shortage has become a familiar headline, but the conversation is too often focused on recruitment. The real bottleneck isn't a lack of interest in the profession; it's the critical gap between rising demand and limited training capacity. Chasing the same shrinking pool of qualified crew is a short-term strategy with diminishing returns. The airlines poised to succeed are those shifting their focus from competing for pilots to actively creating them, by taking long-term ownership of the pipeline through smarter investment, innovative training technology, and accessible cadet programs.