Russian pilot drain

Simple Flying reports that Russia is frequently refusing to verify a Russian pilot's credentials when a foreign airline offers a pilot employment.

According to the Russian newspaper Kommersant, hundreds of laid-off or forcibly retired pilots have been unable to secure jobs outside Russia because of this tactic. Retraining already licensed Airbus and Boeing pilots is a relatively cheap means of obtaining flight deck crew.

Previously Rosaviatsia happily verified a pilot's credentials – as is the international norm. Kommersant reports that the President of the Russian flight crew union says between February and June of this year, around 600 applications for verification from foreign airlines had come into Rosaviatsia, the agency confirming details only on around 100 occasions.

This practice is not new. The newspaper says it dates back to 2016. But sanctions preventing Russian airlines from flying to many countries and a global pilot shortage have highlighted the issue. Recent lay-offs and mandatory pilot retirement at 65 mean there are a lot of out-of-work but able pilots in Russia.

Russia cannot afford a skills’ drain or exodus of pilots.

The Russian Government is now subsidizing some airlines to keep pilots on the books. The President of the Russian flight crew union says despite some airlines keeping pilots on their books, incomes are falling because sanctions mean pilots are flying fewer hours, and incomes are usually linked to flying hours. This is particularly problematic for pilots at Russian airlines which usually have significant international operations.  It was also an opportunity to purchase luxury items not available in the domestic shops and bring back into Russia alcoholic items now not available.

https://simpleflying.com

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