The FAA's annual aviation forecast expects domestic passenger emplanements to drop by almost 8 percent in 2009, followed by average annual increases of 2.7 percent for the next 15 years. The report also said U.S. airlines will carry 1 billion passengers by 2021.
Contract negotiations difficult
A number of unions in contract negotiations with the airlines are having difficulty recovering pay and benefits slashed after the 2001 downturn, thanks to the current economic climate, USA Today reported. One option being considered is to change the practice of automatic pay increases for workers and executives regardless of the company's financial health.
ASA temporarily grounds CRJ fleet
Atlantic Southeast Airlines grounded 60 of its 112 Canadair CRJ 200 regional jets in the first week of April to ensure that inspections on their engines had been completed. A company spokeswoman said it was unclear whether the inspections had already been completed and not properly documented or whether they had been overlooked. After cancelling 227 flights, the airline returned the jets to service later in the week.
Military needs more UAV pilots
It may not seem as glorious as a job in the cockpit, but the military will need thousands of unmanned aerial vehicle pilots over the coming decades, according to military news sources. The Air Force has begun training nonpilots to fly the drones because so few qualified aircraft pilots are willing to transfer.
Career-related news is updated weekly on AOPA Online.
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