The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on the airline industry as travel restrictions and flight cancellations have severely impacted air travel over the past three years. Business aviation has been one of the hardest-hit aviation sectors as companies have opted for virtual meetings or found other ways to connect with their customers and colleagues remotely.

Since then, however, business travel has recovered, as many companies are reporting Business travel budgets have returned to pre-pandemic levels despite increased airfare, Morgan Stanley said. Airbus Corporate Jets executives anticipate that 2023 will be a a larger number of business people who choose private or charter flights. While this is certainly welcome, what impact is this resurgence in flight demand having on pilot well-being?

Lack of pilots and fatigue

Even before the pandemic, forecasts were predicting an imminent shortage of pilots as members of the baby-boomer generation near the federally mandated retirement age of 65. At the same time, the cost and time required to obtain pilot certification has continued to increase, serving as a major deterrent for those considering aviation as a career choice. The broader aviation industry appreciates a Shortage of nearly 8,000 pilots in 2022. Unfortunately, this shortage is likely to continue.

Analysts are forecasting that the industry will face a shortage nearly 24,000 pilots by 2026, which corresponds to the elimination of approximately 23% of the current pilot workforce. With the diminishing availability of skilled labor and increasing demand for air travel, the industry is feel the challenge acutely. And pilots bear the burden with longer working hours, reduced productivity and increased fatigue.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects the airline industry as a whole to: a Net income of $4.7 billion in 2023. Perhaps this capital inflow will help stimulate new investments to…