1. The Airline Pilot Shortage
A threat to rural economic development
Mike Hainsey, A.A.E.
Executive Director
Golden Triangle Regional Airport

2. 29,000 26,000
A TEST!

3. 3,000 15,000
A TEST!

4. 22,000 60,000
A TEST!

5.
A TEST!

6. There are not enough pilots to meet current and future airline requirements
Airlines continue to reduce the number of flights to airports, starting with the regional aircraft
Rural states are affected the most
End result—loss or reduction of air service to key Southern markets reducing economic viability of those communities
The Problem

7. The Details Airlines are 15,000 pilots short over the next 10 years
Mandatory Retirements
New FAA rules
There are not enough pilots in the pipeline to meet those requirements
Cost of training
Lifestyle/job benefits
The Details

8. The Details Pilot supply/demand Mandatory retirement at 65 years
26,000 pilots in next 10 years
Other attrition
Over 29,000 pilots required through 2026
The Details

9. The Details New FAA rule Aviation university waiver
Moves minimum airline copilot hours from 250 to 1,500
Increases time to qualification by 2-3 years
Allows for lower time (1,000 hours) for graduates of certain aviation universities
Aviation university waiver
81 universities
40 states
The Details

10. Connectivity to the global transportation network is required for the economic viability of a community
As pilot shortage worsens, airlines will continue to cut flights
Impact already being felt
Affects all commercial service airports in the state
Some communities will not recover
Impact

11. Impact Examples Raytheon would not be in Meridian without air service
Hawker Beech did not choose GTR because of amount of air service
Loss of Southwest in Jackson possibly impacting perception
Impact

12. Impact Economic Impact
Commercial service airports in Mississippi have a $2 billion and 16,000 jobs economic impact
Without viable air service that impact is adversely impacted
At smaller communities the reliance on air service is more critical
Impact

13. Should focus on the ultimate goal—increase the number of pilots available to work in the airline industry
Would focus on increasing those in the pipeline
Could offer financial incentives to defray the cost of pilot training
Solutions

14. ATP CFI
FINAL EXAM

15. Congressional District Vulnerability Indicator
State of Mississippi Non-Hub Airport Vulnerability by Congressional District
Congressional District
Vulnerability Indicator
Airport Name/Code
MS 1
Tupelo (TUP)
Columbus (GTR)
MS 2
Greenville, MS (GLH)
Tunica (UTM)
MS 3
Meridian (MEI)
MS 4
Gulfport/Biloxi (GPT)
Laurel (PIB)
MS 1