More Canadian pilots are seeking to fly in the United States. Why?

globalnews.ca:

The number of Canadian pilots seeking to fly in the United States tripled in 2022, according to previously unreported U.S. government data, raising fears of deepening shortages in Canada as pilots seek higher wages.

Some 147 Canadian pilots applied for licenses to fly commercial jets in the United States in 2022, up from 39 in 2021, according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data. The number of overall foreign applications roughly doubled to 1,442.

High travel demand in the United States, where pilots are securing historic wage increases, is attracting foreign aviators, despite delays and high costs of immigrating, according to lawyers, unions and pilots.

While small, the increase in U.S. applications is worrisome for regional Canadian carriers, which like their U.S. counterparts, are wrestling with staffing shortages as they lose pilots to larger airlines, industry experts say.

It could also put pressure on Air Canada during negotiations with its pilots, whose contract expires on September 29.

Air Canada said this week it would halt six non-stop flights from Calgary at the end of October because of “resource pressures” due to an industry wide shortage of regional pilots.

“It’s definitely a concern,” said John Gradek, a faculty lecturer in aviation management at McGill University in Montreal.

At Sunwing Airlines, at least 10 per cent of the roughly 490 pilots are applying to work in the U.S., said Mark Taylor, president of the Unifor union local, which represents aviators at the company.

Taylor said he has raised the issue with Sunwing, which didn’t return requests for comment. Sunwing has been acquired by WestJet Airlines, which likewise did not respond to requests for comment.

Two Sunwing pilots, who spoke on