Pilot Shortage, New Technology: The Main Challenges for Airlines

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the aviation industry continues to recover worldwide but faces a challenge in the form of new technologies replacing the legacy system that the airline industry has relied on for decades. In addition, the Official Airline Guide (OAG) reports that pilot shortages will cause severe challenges for the aviation industry, as forecasts indicate that the North American region will be severely affected in the next 10-20 years.

Buckle up! This is the Week in Aerospace!

Airline Industry Must Invest in New Technologies: OAG

The airline industry is undergoing a major transformation, with a new technology system replacing the legacy system that the sector has relied on for decades. While the legacy system is still strong and necessary, airlines must continue investing and adapting to the new system.

World Faces Looming Pilot Shortage

Pilot shortages have become a part of everyday life and a major concern for the aviation industry. This problem will affect airline growth and airfare prices, with forecasts indicating a shortage of 55,000 pilots globally by 2029 in the EU, the Middle East, North America and Asia Pacific.

Mexico

Viva Aerobus Closes 2022 with Record-Breaking Results

Viva Aerobus’s 4Q22 financial results show record revenues of US$1.46 billion. The airline also reported record passengers with 20.7 million, an increase of 35.6% compared to 2021. The company also grew its fleet to 69 aircraft, an increase of 25.5% compared to 2021.

Space Settlements Design Tournament Comes to Mexico

Spaceport MX, Expanding Frontiers (ExF) and the Mexican Aerospace Agency (AEM) have announced that the Space Settlements Design Tournament (SSDT) will take place in Mexico for the first time. The event aims to teach students critical thinking models, allowing them to generate creative solutions to the problems that arise in the space sector.

Passenger Traffic Increases at OMA, GAP and ASUR Airports

Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte (OMA) reported an increase of 33.7% in passengers during February 2023 compared with the same month in 2022. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP) reported an increase of 21.8% in total passenger traffic during the same month, while Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR) saw a 24.3% increase.

International

Lufthansa to Purchase 22 Latest-Generation Long-Haul Aircraft

German carrier Lufthansa has announced its plans to purchase 22 latest-generation long-haul aircraft, including 10 Airbus A350-1000s, five Airbus A350-900s and seven Boeing 787-9s. The deal is worth US$7.5 billion and the planes will be delivered from the mid-2020s onwards.

GE Aerospace to Launch Next-Gen Rotor Analysis Diagnostic System

GE Aerospace announced it will begin testing the next generation Rotor Analysis Diagnostic System (RADS) for civil and military operators. The RADS-NG (next generation) will save fuel by enabling operators to complete rotor track and balance operations and diagnostics in fewer flights.