AviationCV.com: The urge to go green in aviation may lead to changes in the pilot market

In 2011 the European authorities have decided to include the air transportation industry in the Emissions Trading System (ETS), by enforcing airlines to pay for the aircraft CO2 emissions. However, the new regulation which is designed to reduce the pollution caused by airlines by almost 50% till 2020 has been greeted controversially by other market players. China has even decided to suspend all new large Airbus aircraft orders placed by the national air carriers. This, along with other ‘green’ initiatives, may naturally affect many different aviation sectors, including the global pilot market.

Though officially Chinese carriers do not admit having any restrictions or bans on making new orders for the European aircraft, the EADS officials have admitted that the EU emission trading program interferes with the execution of the agreed orders, because the Chinese authorities delay with the approvals. This may not only result in $12 billion loss for the manufacturer, but also alter the aircraft market share in the region. Should the parties delay resolving the issue, Chinese carriers will be forced to re-plan their fleet strategies in favour of Boeing and other manufacturers.

‘What should have been a progress towards greener aviation resulted in a very complicated issue. The industry is now carefully following the negotiation process, since it may unpredictably change the aircraft and pilot markets in the long-term perspectives,’ commented the CEO of AviationCV.com Skaiste Knyzaite.

But the governmental struggle for the environment-friendly future is not the only factor which may influence the demand for pilots and their type ratings. Burdened by the rising oil prices, along with the Sustainable Development (SD) philosophy to spread in the global business society, aircraft and engine manufacturers, along with many airlines invest billions of dollars in efficiency promoting techniques and bio-fuel projects. The new generation of aircraft and engines, e.g. Airbus A320NEO, are declared to produce 10% less of NOx gases. The US engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney has announced that the new PurePower Geared Turbofan Engine will help to reduce 3,600 tons of CO2 emissions per aircraft annually.

‘Along with ‘greener’ engines, manufacturers will soon introduce new modifications of such aircraft as Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, as well as absolutely new airplanes like the Mitsubishi Regional Jet. These aircraft will have higher fuel-efficiency thus are sure to become popular among airlines. With the upcoming deliveries of new aircraft types, airlines should already start planning the HR-strategy in order to operate Airbus A350, Bombardier CSeries and already-operated Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Today there are many pilots with an overwhelming flying experience who would fit perfectly as the next generation aircraft pilots. And while airlines are investing in the new aircraft pilots, someone should secure the carriers with the crew for the current generation aircraft such as Airbus A320 or Boeing 737. Cooperating with training centres and such recruitment agencies as AviationCV.com, which have their own type rating programs, air companies will be able to focus on becoming both greener and more efficient,’ concluded Skaiste Knyzaite.