What the Airlines Are Saying About Hiring Pilots

According to British aviation journal, Flyer, here's what's going on in hiring pilots for some of the smaller British airlines and charter services:

CityJet Airlines:  They are currently hiring about 18 pilots a year and are confident that will continue.

Thomas Cook Airlines: The training manager says this is a good time now to start training.

Ryanair: Last year they recruited 450 new pilots. They expect to continue to hire large numbers of pilots.

NetJets: Training management consider anytime being a good time to train. The dnager of waiting to train until the next rush to hire pilots is that you won't be ready. When the next upturn happens you want to have your licenses in hand and the minimum hours already logged.

Lufthansa Airlines Now Owns Austrian Airlines

Just yesterday, Lufthansa took control of Austrian Airlines, after working on the deal for the past 9 months. European Commission approvals were required before Lufthansa could take over. The airline bought over 90% of Austrian Airlines and plans to take over the remaining shares soon to bring its ownership to a full 100%. It is estimated that the purchase cost Lufthansa nearly 362 million euros (USD$514 million).

Austrian Airlines is the third European airline that Lufthansa has taken over this year. The other two are Bussels Airlines and BMI. If flying for an airline as large and successful as Lufthansa interests you -- or if you prefer flying for a smaller airline closer to home -- call Phoenix East Aviation and talk to an Admissions Officer about taking the first step -- learning to fly. www.pea.com.

China Aviation Opportunities

Aviation in China continues to grow. Both Beijing and Shanghai each handle over 50 million passengers a year. And since September 2008, the number of flight at Beijing airport has increased by over 9%. This means more opportunities for pilots and airline dispatchers.

China's first private jet base is set to open in Shanghai next year. It will be at the Hongqiao Airport  (one of Shamghai's two airports) and consist of a 3,000 sq.meter terminal with separate security and customs sections. There will also be a hangar sized for business jets. It is estimated that up to 4,000 business jets will arrive in Shanghai during May 2010 alone, during the World Expo. By 2015, the figure is expected to rise to 6,000 annually. 

In addition, China's first private jet service provider has been approved by the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China and will set up its headquarters in Shenyang, Liaoning province. Its fleet will consist of Bombardier Challenger 850 jet aircraft.

While some airlines in other countries are challenged to remain profitable, Chinese air traffic is up over 16% overall in the first six months of 2009. Growth in 2009 in domestic traffic has risen by nearly 20% this year, and up 28% in June alone.

If you think you might like to participate in China's rapidly growing aviation industry, Phoenix East Aviation can train you to become a commercial airline pilot, a private jet pilot, or an airline dispatcher.  See www.pea.com for more information.

Want to Fly Private Jets in the Middle East?

It is anticipated that the private jet charter business in the Middle East will grow between 15-20% this year. One large charter company grew by 40% in 2008 alone. Officials say that the Middle East private aviation market continues to grow as the region's elite and affluent enjoy the convenience of private jet transport. There has been particular growth in this aviation market on traffice between the Middle East and Europe. Awareness has grown about the practical value of using private charter aircraft: it is fast, luxurious, hassle-free and efficient. Flying as a charter pilot is an excellent career. You fly VIPs from business, government officials, and entertainment to wherever they need to go anywhere in the world. If your client wishes, you may stay at his destination location -- in a hotel with lodging and meals paid for by your employer -- until the customer is ready to return. Phoenix East Aviation's graduates fly for both airlines and charter companies throughout the world. If you think you're ready to begin your flight training, see www.pea.com for more information. You could be starting your training in just a few weeks.

India's Aviation Market Growing

It looks like India's aviation market may come out of the worldwide recession faster than most countries. This was predicted by Boeing Aircraft at its 20-year India Market Outlook this week in New Delhi. India currently accounts for 3% of Boeing's aircraft sales. Air India has orders for Boeing 777 aircraft -- 23 airplanes, including five 777s (it has ordered a total of 23 and received 12) and three 737s (to Air India Express). Jet Airways has one 737 on order also. Boeing expects 31% of the 29,000 aircraft it has forecast for the world for the next 20 years to go to airlines in Asia/Pacific. The budget carriers continue to lead the pack in growth. So if you are interested in becoming a pilot for an India airlines, this is an excellent time to begin your flight training. See www.pea.com for more information on the Phoenix East Aviation India program.

Salaries for India's Pilots Increasing

With the continued shortage of pilots in India, the country's airlines are increasingly relying on foreign pilots. For Indian pilots, slaries have been skyrocketing, as airlines compete for a limited pool of qualified pilots.

Last year the need for pilots reached such intensity that the government become involved and decreed that airlilne pilots much give six months notice before resigning. Increasing the retirement age (now at age 62) for airline pilots is also being considered to lessen the problem.

Commercial pilots in India can earn up to eight times more than what Indian Air Force pilots make.

So the future is indeed very bright for young people in India who are interested in flying.

Statistics on the World's Airlines

Though the world's airlines have schedules 4% fewer flights for June compared to last year (though this is only a 2% drop in seat capacity), the total number of seats offered remains high at 297.5 million for this month alone. That certainly shows what a large industry commercial aviation is on a worldwide basis.

The total number of flights scheduled to operate worldwide this month is 2.43 million.  And this does not include executive jet flights, military or charter aircraft. 

PEA Graduates First Class of Dispatchers for Middle Eastern Airlines

Phoenix East Aviation (PEA) announces the graduation of the first group of new airline dispatchers for Middle East Airlines AirLiban (MEA). Phoenix East initiated training 23 student dispatchers for MEA and other Middle Eastern airlines in February. The  recent graduation ceremonies were attended by MEA management personnel, as well as by Ghassan Reslan, CEO of Phoenix East Aviation. The intense six-week training course took place in Beirut, Lebanon, at the MEA training facility; it was conducted in accordance with curriculum provided by PEA, developed to meet ICAO and Lebanese aviation authority requirements.

The next PEA airline dispatcher course to be held in Beirut is scheduled to begin in late September of this year.

Emirates Airline Increases Its Fleet and Flights

Emirates Airline, the largest airline in the Middle East, has announced plans to increase its fleet of aircraft, as well as to increase the number of its flights. Based in Dubai, the airline intends to increase the number of flights by 14%, as well as adding 18 new passenger aircraft to its fleet.

The airline has grown at an average rate of 20% each year for the past five years. By the end of this month, Emirates' fleet will consist of 132 aircraft, including four superjumbo Airbus A380s. Emirates will add another seven A380s by next March, plus another 12 Boeing 777 jets. 

Emirates Airline also has 165 new aircraft on order currently, worth USD $55 billion. It is the biggest customer for Airbus's giant A380.  

Aviation Growth in the Middle East

We're seeing different strategies by different airlines in various parts of the world. Some airlines are reducing flights, other airlines are expanding. In the Arab countries, most airlines are expanding their capacity. The Centre for Asia Pacific expects a positive future for Middle Eastern airlines: "The region will be growing while others are stagnating."

Passenger travel in Arab countries shows a growth of 10.3% in January 2009 compared to January 2008. Regional growth grow nearly 6% January 2009 vs. January 2008 and international airline operations grew nearly 12%. 

The result of this is airlines are buying more aircraft -- good news for commercial pilots. Middle East Airlines (MEA) of Lebanon received a new Airbus A330 in February. Qatar Airways received two Boeing B777-200LRs. Oman Air leased two A300-200s from Jet Airways. Syrian Arab Airlines leased an Airbus A320 from Jordan Aviation. Afriqiyah Airways is set to receive four aircraft -- two A330s and two A319s. This month, Gulf Air will have three new B777 aircraft with a fourth B777 planned for May delivery. Saudi Arabian Airlines has contracted for the purchase of 22 aircraft plus is leasing another 28 A320s. 

Phoenix East Aviation has been training pilot candidates for airlines worldwide since 1972, including many Middle Eastern airlines. For more information on how you can become an airline pilot, go to www.pea.com.