The Struggle to Find Skilled Workers in the Aviation Industry

The average age of a certified aircraft mechanic in the U.S. is 54, and 40% of them are over the age of 60, according to a joint 2024 report from the Aviation Technician Education Council and consulting firm Oliver Wyman, which cites Federal Aviation Administration data. The U.S. will be short 25,000 aircraft technicians by 2028, according to the report. This shortage of skilled workers is a major concern for the aviation industry, as it threatens to hinder the production and maintenance of aircraft.

The Impact of Retirement and Covid on the Industry

"A lot of them were hired on in the ’80s and early ’90s. You just start doing some math and you start saying at some point they’re going to retire," said American Airlines Chief Operating Officer David Seymour, who oversees the carrier’s more than 6,000 daily flights. The industry was already facing a retirement wave when Covid hit, and companies cut or offered buyouts to experienced workers — from those who build aircraft to those who maintain them to keep flying. "People forget that the aerospace industry was in a pretty serious ramp at the time pre-Covid. And then frankly, of course overnight we went from ramping to zero demand over time. And so we lost a lot of talent," said Christian Meisner, GE Aerospace’s chief human resources officer.

Efforts to Attract Younger Workers

To boost their ranks, airlines and big manufacturers of airplanes and their thousands of components are trying to get more younger people interested in the field. GE, along with its French joint venture partner Safran, makes the bestselling engines that power Boeing and Airbus top-selling jetliners, and has been ramping up hiring. The company has a strong retention rate and some employees earn their FAA licenses to work on airplane engines or airframes on the job. At GE’s engine plant in Lafayette, Indiana, about an hour outside of Indianapolis, base pay averages between $80,000 and $90,000 a year, based on qualifications and experience.

The Rewards of a Career in Aviation

Median pay for aircraft technicians or mechanics was $79,140 a year in the U.S. in 2024, compared with a nationwide median income of $49,500, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The agency projects 13,400 job openings in the field each year over the next decade. American’s Seymour said that with new pay raises, technicians could make $130,000 a year at the top of their pay scale in nine years at the carrier. While many experts don’t expect jobs that have been shipped abroad like clothing manufacturing to come back to the U.S., high-value sectors tend to pay much more and are more likely to stick around.

The Challenge of Hiring in a Competitive Market

The impending worker shortages aren’t just for those who repair aircraft and engines. A shortfall of air traffic controllers has also stifled airline growth and raised concerns about safety in recent years. The Trump administration has said it will raise wages and ramp up hiring to try to reverse yearslong shortfalls. Manufacturing is about 9% of U.S. employment but "we all have a bit of a fetish with manufacturing because we focus on it more and than other sectors," said Gordon Hanson, a professor of urban policy at Harvard University. One problem with manufacturing jobs, Hanson said, is that workers aren’t very geographically mobile, and if factories reopen or hiring ramps up, that could make it harder to attract employees from other places.

Looking to the Future

Getting FAA licenses can take years, but the reward can be high. Some students are considering forgoing traditional four-year college degrees straight out of high school to get into the industry. "I’m thinking about going to college, but it’s whichever really comes first. If they give me an opportunity to go to the airlines, I’d like to do that," said Sam Mucciardi, a senior at Aviation High School in Queens, New York. The public school offers its roughly 2,000 students the option to stay on for a fifth year to earn their FAA licenses with training at the school.

Conclusion

The aviation industry is facing a severe shortage of skilled workers, with the average age of certified aircraft mechanics being 54 and 40% of them over 60. The industry is trying to attract younger workers by offering competitive pay and benefits, as well as providing training and education opportunities. However, the challenge of hiring in a competitive market and the need for geographical mobility are major concerns. As the industry looks to the future, it is clear that attracting and retaining skilled workers will be crucial to its success.

FAQs

Q: What is the average age of a certified aircraft mechanic in the U.S.?
A: The average age of a certified aircraft mechanic in the U.S. is 54.
Q: How many aircraft technicians will the U.S. be short of by 2028?
A: The U.S. will be short 25,000 aircraft technicians by 2028.
Q: What is the median pay for aircraft technicians or mechanics in the U.S.?
A: The median pay for aircraft technicians or mechanics was $79,140 a year in the U.S. in 2024.
Q: How many job openings are projected in the field of aircraft technicians or mechanics each year over the next decade?
A: The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 13,400 job openings in the field each year over the next decade.
Q: What is the starting pay for technicians at GE’s engine plant in Lafayette, Indiana?
A: The base pay averages between $80,000 and $90,000 a year, based on qualifications and experience.

Introduction to the Resurrection of the Hemi Engine

DETROIT — Stellantis said Thursday it is resurrecting its popular V-8 Hemi engine for its Ram 1500 full-size pickup trucks beginning this summer. The company discontinued the 5.7-liter engine amid tightening fuel economy regulations and a companywide push toward electric vehicles and more efficient engines last year under ex-Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares.

The Decision to Cancel the Hemi Engine

Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis, who unretired from the automaker late last year, admitted the decision to cancel the Hemi engine for its popular consumer-focused Ram 1500 was a mistake. "Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle them defines you. Ram screwed up when we dropped the Hemi — we own it and we fixed it," Kuniskis said in a press release.

Bringing Back the Hemi Engine

The announcement marked the latest reversal in automakers’ plans this year, as EV adoption has been slower than expected and as the Trump administration has sought to unwind many of former President Joe Biden’s initiatives to push the auto industry away from gas-guzzling internal combustion engines. The Hemi announcement, which comes as the automaker delays plans for its electric trucks, is part of Kuniskis’ new product turnaround plan, which includes 25 product announcements over an 18-month period, the company said.

Impact on Sales and Production

Ram’s sales have struggled for years amid price increases and production mishaps, as well as the automaker killing off the Hemi engine — a staple of the automaker and its predecessors since the 1950s. Kuniskis said he expects Hemi to represent 25% to 40% of the Ram 1500 pickup trucks’ sales. Ram has continued to offer Hemi engines in larger pickup trucks.

Engine Specifications and Options

Ram discontinued the Hemi in exchange for a more efficient twin-turbocharged, inline-six-cylinder engine called the Hurricane. That engine will continue to be offered, with the Hemi as a $1,200 option on most models. A 3.6-liter V-6 engine is standard on entry-level models. The 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 delivers 395 horsepower and 410 foot-pounds of torque. The Hurricane that replaced it has 420 horsepower and 469 foot-pounds of torque, while a high-output version of the Hurricane engine is rated at 540 horsepower and 521 foot-pounds of torque.

New Logo and Symbolism

Unlike previous generations of the truck, the new vehicle will not feature "HEMI" on the side. Instead, the company has created a new badge that features a ram’s head coming out of a Hemi engine that it’s calling its "Symbol of Protest." The new logo and name are an effort to regain customers who may have decided not to buy a Ram truck because the company attempted to push more efficient engines and EVs on them.

Conclusion

The resurrection of the Hemi engine is a significant move by Stellantis to regain its customer base and improve sales. By bringing back the popular engine and offering it as an option, the company is giving customers the freedom of choice they desire. The new logo and symbolism are also an effort to reconnect with customers and regain their trust.

FAQs

Q: Why did Stellantis discontinue the Hemi engine in the first place?
A: The company discontinued the 5.7-liter engine amid tightening fuel economy regulations and a companywide push toward electric vehicles and more efficient engines.
Q: How long did it take for Stellantis to bring back the Hemi engine?
A: The company was able to bring back the Hemi engine in six months, down from an initial estimate of 18 months.
Q: What is the new logo and symbolism for the Hemi engine?
A: The company has created a new badge that features a ram’s head coming out of a Hemi engine, which it’s calling its "Symbol of Protest."
Q: Will Stellantis still offer electric or hybrid pickup trucks?
A: Yes, the company is still expected to eventually offer electric or hybrid pickup trucks to assist in meeting emissions and fuel economy requirements for Ram.
Q: What is the expected sales percentage of the Hemi engine for the Ram 1500 pickup trucks?
A: Kuniskis said he expects Hemi to represent 25% to 40% of the Ram 1500 pickup trucks’ sales.

Introduction to Airport Lounge Access Changes

Airplane tickets are getting cheaper, but it’s getting more expensive to bring your family to an airport lounge. Capital One is the latest company to limit access to booming airport lounges to combat overcrowding.

Changes to Capital One Lounge Access

Starting February 1, Venture X and Venture X Business cardholders will no longer be able to automatically take a guest into lounges or bring authorized second card users. They will instead have to pay $125 annually for each additional cardholder to keep their lounge access, $45 per adult guest per visit, and $25 per guest 17 or younger. The $125 fee also includes second cardholder access to a network of Priority Pass lounges.

Rationale Behind the Changes

According to Capital One, the changes are intended to maintain a great airport lounge experience for Venture X and Venture X Business customers while continuing to deliver best-in-class premium travel cards at an accessible price point. The company stated, "As airport lounges continue to grow in popularity across the industry, we’ve seen our customers increasingly encounter wait times to enter them."

Spending Requirements for Complimentary Guests

Primary cardholders will have to spend at least $75,000 per calendar year to bring up to two complimentary free guests to Capital One lounges and one guest to Capital One Landings, smaller lounges built for travelers who tend to spend less time at the airport, like those heading to short flights. This spending requirement matches what American Express announced two years ago, also a measure to minimize crowding and keep the clubs feeling exclusive.

Credit Card Companies and Airport Lounge Networks

Credit card companies have ramped up their airport lounge networks in recent years, opening new locations to handle demand. And airport lounge access has been a central perk attached to rewards cards, which generally come with an annual fee. The Venture X card, which launched in 2021, is $395 a year, less than the $695 a year American Express charges for its Platinum card or the $550 JPMorgan Chase charges for the Chase Sapphire Reserve, both of which come with airport lounges.

Challenges Faced by Lounge Operators

According to Henry Harteveldt, founder of Atmosphere Research Group, "When it comes to lounges, Capital One is a challenger brand; they’re an underdog." Capital One has lounges at Denver International Airport, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. It plans to open one this year at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and one of its Landings at LaGuardia Airport. However, the new restrictions show that Capital One isn’t immune to its popularity leading to big crowds.

Industry-Wide Changes

Airlines have also raised prices to access airport lounges and built larger ones to accommodate the influx. Delta Air Lines, for example, has made sweeping changes to its lounge access policies, like getting rid of unlimited visits in favor of annual caps. And last summer, Delta unveiled its first Delta One lounge, dedicated to customers in its highest class of cabin. It plans to open a new one in Seattle later this month. American Airlines and United Airlines have also expanded their airport lounges and opened new top-tier ones for customers traveling in premium classes on long-haul flights.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the changes to airport lounge access policies by Capital One and other credit card companies and airlines are intended to combat overcrowding and maintain a high-quality experience for customers. While these changes may be inconvenient for some, they are necessary to ensure that airport lounges remain a valuable perk for premium travelers.

FAQs

Q: What are the changes to Capital One lounge access?
A: Starting February 1, Venture X and Venture X Business cardholders will no longer be able to automatically take a guest into lounges or bring authorized second card users. They will have to pay $125 annually for each additional cardholder to keep their lounge access, $45 per adult guest per visit, and $25 per guest 17 or younger.
Q: Why are these changes being made?
A: The changes are intended to maintain a great airport lounge experience for Venture X and Venture X Business customers while continuing to deliver best-in-class premium travel cards at an accessible price point.
Q: What is the spending requirement for complimentary guests?
A: Primary cardholders will have to spend at least $75,000 per calendar year to bring up to two complimentary free guests to Capital One lounges and one guest to Capital One Landings.
Q: Are other credit card companies and airlines making similar changes?
A: Yes, other credit card companies and airlines are also making changes to their lounge access policies to combat overcrowding and maintain a high-quality experience for customers.