Emirates Is Cutting Flights Due to a Pilot Shortage
The world's largest long-haul carrier, Emirates, said Wednesday that a pilot shortage is forcing the airline to cut some flights heading into the peak season for global travel.
Dubai-based Emirates is seeing its recent lagging sales now boosted by rising oil prices in Gulf economies — meaning more demand for local travel — and increased demand in the US market bouncing back from since-ended restrictions placed by President Donald Trump.
Emirates President Tim Clark said the airline would be short-handed by about 100 to 150 pilots as it tries to meet this increased demand, forcing the carrier to trim back on some routes. Reports say that destinations like Fort Lauderdale (FLL), as well as several European and Asian routes are on the chopping block.
Luckily, Clark said the crew shortage will only be short term. "We're a tad short in pilots," he said at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg. He added that the pilot numbers should be "alright by September or October," citing several favorable economic factors that will likely make it possible for the airline to meet demand.
H/T: Bloomberg