Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), members of the Senate Commerce Committee, today introduced legislation requiring the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to issue a report on the extent and effect of the current pilot shortage on regional carriers.
“The ongoing pilot shortage is causing flight cancellations and service reductions across our country, and Essential Air Service airports here in Nebraska are being hit the hardest. Our legislation is a commonsense approach that would provide much-needed clarity on these challenges and help us finally start alleviating this crisis,” said Senator Fischer.
HICKENLOOPER
Background:
The aviation industry has endured a series of challenges over the past few years, with pilot workforce shortages being one of the most common.
Currently, there is disagreement on what factors are exacerbating the shortage, and government-led studies and data on the topic are limited. The Senators’ legislation would require the GAO to issue a report to Congress outlining the extent and effect of the pilot shortage on regional carriers.
Regional air carriers who offer Essential Air Service (EAS) have cited pilot staffing shortages as the reason for terminating service to select markets. On March 10, 2022, SkyWest Airlines announced plans to discontinue service to three EAS communities in Nebraska: Kearney, North Platte, and Scottsbluff.
Last July, Senator Fischer helped introduce legislation raising the mandatory commercial pilot retirement age from 65 to 67. Senator Fischer also questionedTransportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at a hearing last year about the importance of EAS to communities across Nebraska.
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