Struggling Southwest Airlines cuts required jet flying time for prospective ... trends now
Scandal-hit Southwest Airlines has slashed the number of flight hours new pilots must have in jet-powered aircraft as it attempts to boost hiring.
The airline, whose recent issues include a holiday season meltdown and a terrifying near miss, has cut the experience candidates must have in jets and other turbine-powered aircraft from 1,000 hours to 500 hours.
Company chiefs announced the move as they attempt to increase the number of pilots by 1,700 this year, amid a surge in demand as the world emerges from the covid pandemic.
Southwest has tweaked its rules amid a serious of recent controversies. On Saturday, one of its aircraft narrowly avoided a crash with a FedEx aircraft over the tarmac at Austin airport.
The airline is also currently facing a lawsuit over the cancellation of 16,700 flights during the holiday season that disrupted travel plans for about 2 million customers.
Southwest Airlines has cut the number of hours prospective pilots must have in jet-powered aircraft in half
The move is designed to boost recruitment amid a post-pandemic surge in demand. Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan has said the company is having 'no trouble attracting terrific pilots'
Southwest, which currently has around 9,400 pilots, insists loosening its hiring requirements won't affect safety.
Federal Aviation Authority rules state all pilots must have a minimum of 1,500 flight hours to obtain a license. The FAA doesn't specify the type of aircraft, but airlines often set their own guidelines for the number of hours spent flying jets because these are used for most commercial flights.
A message sent to pilots last week said the change would come into effect on Tuesday, February 7.
A spokesman said: 'Our robust and rigorous flight operations training program has not changed, and all current and future first officer candidates must pass all elements of the curriculum prior to flying for
