Raf

Since I began in aviation in 1966, I’ve witnessed tremendous growth in the industry, but also significant challenges, particularly in workforce shortages.

Growth Over the Decades:

Fleet Size: Back in 1966, the U.S. had about 2,500 to 3,000 commercial airplanes. Today, that number has more than doubled to over 7,000. This reflects how much air travel has expanded, with airlines operating larger and more advanced fleets to meet growing demand.

Airports: The number of airports has grown from 13,500 in 1966 to around 19,000 today, although many smaller airports have lost commercial flights as operations have concentrated in larger hubs. (Wikipedia)

Employment: The aviation workforce has grown from 346,000 in 1966 to over 1 million in 2024, which is necessary to support the industry’s expansion as the U.S. population increased from 196.6 million to 334 million.

Challenges in the Workforce:

Pilot Shortage: In 1966, there were about 827,000 active pilots, but that number has since decreased to between 600,000 and 700,000. This drop, coupled with the industry’s growth, has led to a significant pilot shortage.

Support Personnel: The industry is also struggling with a shortage of mechanics, air traffic controllers, and ground crew. This shortage impacts the efficiency and reliability of air travel, as there aren’t enough trained professionals to meet the demand.

In essence, while the aviation industry has seen remarkable growth since 1966, the current shortage of pilots and support staff is a major challenge that could hinder further expansion and operational efficiency.