The pilot scarcity plaguing the airline business is essentially as a result of overly aggressive regulatory measures, Mesa Air Group (NASDAQ:MESA) CEO Jonathan Ornstein instructed SeekingAlpha in an interview.

Ornstein’s airline made headlines on the finish of September in establishing a coaching program which included the acquisition of as much as 104 new coach plane and gives certified pilots with as much as 40 hours of flight time per week with flight advantages and precedence standing for employment as an organization first officer Aerial. This system was offered as a personal sector answer to an issue created by regulation.

The primary downside to be solved, in response to Ornstein, is the FAA’s requirement of 1,500 flight hours to acquire an airline transport pilot certificates. Ornstein famous that the remainder of the world doesn’t adhere to such a strict commonplace, with most different regulators around the globe requiring solely 250 flight hours for pilot certification. Even for big carriers abroad who typically institute larger requirements, the 1,500 hour rule overshadows the necessities. For instance, the Australian airline QANTAS declares a requirement of solely 700 hours of complete expertise.

Ornstein due to this fact lamented the FAA’s resolution to reject Republic Airways’ proposal to scale back the coaching time required.

“We are actually in a scarcity that has been fully created by actually poorly designed, poorly executed and poorly thought out authorities laws that don’t have anything to do with security and every part to do with cash,” Ornstein stated. “In consequence, we’re wanting 1000’s of pilots and most regional airways are flying at half capability.”

He added that regional airways are specifically demand as they’re “on the backside of the meals chain” by way of pilots. As such, they needed to double pilot salaries even earlier than instituting a brand new pilot coaching program in pursuit of the 1,500-hour minimal that Ornstein considers “absurd”.

Raymond James lately downgraded his score on Mesa Air Group (MESA) and Sky West (SKYW) to a gross sales equal citing hovering pilot salaries because the impetus for change. Extremely low-cost carriers like Spirit Airways (TO REGISTER) and Frontier Group (ULCC) are additionally underneath strain as a result of their reliance on low tariffs which are turning into more and more unsustainable amid rising labor prices.

Moreover, many routes usually flown by regional airways are merely turning into unprofitable, in response to Ornstein. It is a downside not just for airways, but in addition for shoppers touring from the smaller cities served, he famous. Flight tickets to america elevated by 33.4% in August in comparison with 2021 on an unadjusted foundation.

Reinforcing its view on regional capability cuts, regional service SkyWest (SKYW) filed to chop 29 roads of its schedule earlier this 12 months earlier than DOT response. In the meantime, American Airways (AAL) stated he would reduce service in 4 small cities this month as a result of a scarcity of pilots, including to earlier capability reductions. In the meantime, United Airways (LAU) has lately pushed for extra flights from JFK airport give attention to one main hub whereas lowering service to smaller markets like Texarkana, AK and Flagstaff, AZ. The 2 Delta airways (DAL) and American even moved to supply buses as an alternative of short-haul routes given the shortage and unfavorable economics of regional roads.

On a extra optimistic be aware, Ornstein instructed SeekingAlpha that Mesa has already obtained “lots of of purposes” for its pilot coaching program unveiled on Thursday.

“There are loads of children who’ve 250 hours for his or her enterprise license who battle to fulfill the 1,500 hour requirement by towing banners, dusting crops, or different actions that do not actually enhance their expertise,” he stated. “What we’re doing is offering a extra targeted timeline the place they’ll speed up their entry into the business.”

He expects this system to offer flexibility for the airline in the long term. Nonetheless, he remained pessimistic about fixing the short-term pilot scarcity downside.

• US Airways: Delta Air Traces (DAL), American Airways (AAL), United Airways (LAU), Southwest Airways (LUV), Spirit Airways (TO REGISTER), Alaska Airways (ALK), Jet Blue Airways (JBLU), land of the solar (SNCY), Frontier Group (ULCC), Hawaiian Airways (HA), Sky West (SKYW), Allegiant (ALGT), Mesa Air Group (MESA).

Be taught extra about President Biden’s latest feedback criticize US air service capability cuts.