Higgins Airways

Interesting. They’re finally getting around to talking about the shortage of maintenance technicians. That’s a discussion that is long overdue.

Boeing updated its pilot forecast. The number went up.

Boeing released its 2026 Pilot and Technician Outlook in July - the freshest aviation workforce data available. The updated projection: 674,000 new commercial pilots needed globally through 2045. That's up from the 660,000 figure in last year's report, and it moves in one direction only.

The full picture across all categories tells the same story. 728,000 new maintenance technicians. 1,023,000 cabin crew. More than 2.4 million new aviation professionals needed globally over the next 20 years. Every number revised upward from the 2025 edition.

This matters because of what it counters. The "normalisation" narrative - the idea that post-Covid aviation demand is settling back toward pre-pandemic levels - doesn't survive contact with Boeing's own data. The structural shortage is getting larger, not smaller.

We posted the 660,000 figure in June. The sequel number is 674,000. The direction hasn't changed.

If you hold a current type rating and you're weighing your options, the window hasn't closed - it's widening. Register your CV via the rishworthaviation.com/jobs our team has been placing pilots with the airlines driving this demand for 40 years.

Data: Boeing 2026 Pilot and Technician Outlook, PRNewswire, 18 July 2026; AOPA, 21 July 2026; AVweb, 21 July 2026.

What do we really think about The Miracle on the Hudson?

Allegiant Air pilots have overwhelmingly approved a new two-year labor contract that delivers one of the most significant compensation increases in the airline’s history. Members of the Allegiant Pilots Association-Teamsters Local 2118 ratified the agreement with 80% support and a 99% voter participation rate. The deal provides an immediate average hourly pay increase of about 40% and unlocks approximately US$300 million in previously accrued pilot retention bonuses.

Beyond salary gains, the agreement includes several enhanced benefits and workplace protections. Pilots will receive a company-funded 15% direct 401(k) contribution, company-paid long-term disability coverage through age 65, a five-hour minimum pay credit for every flight duty period, expanded leave protections, improved premium pay opportunities, guaranteed minimum days off, fleet transition safeguards, and furlough protections. Union leaders said the package will deliver a total wage increase of roughly 54% by January 2027 while significantly improving quality of life and long-term financial security for pilots.

The ratification comes at a pivotal time for Allegiant following its acquisition of Sun Country, completed in May 2026. Union officials said attention will now shift toward joint collective bargaining efforts and seniority list integration as the two airlines move closer together operationally. The agreement is expected to help Allegiant retain pilots, strengthen labor relations, and remain competitive as airlines across North America continue to raise compensation and benefits amid ongoing demand for qualified flight crews.

Source: AirlineGeeks

Emirates has launched a global recruitment drive for Captains and First Officers, with hiring roadshows taking place across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas through February 2027.

For full details, check the comments section for the link.

Some interesting statistics.

Sometimes it’s easy to take for granted the things you’ve worked so hard to make normal for your life that you forget that they aren’t normal for most people. Travel is absolutely up the top of that list for many. ✈️ how many of these stats are you outside the average for?