Travellers flying to or through Switzerland this summer may face unexpected delays and cancellations due to a growing shortage of pilots. Swiss International Air Lines announced it will cancel around 1,400 flights between now and October. This move aims to manage its limited pilot workforce amid ongoing staffing challenges.
Many of the cancelled flights are short-haul routes across Europe, mainly operating from Swiss hubs in Zurich and Geneva. Some long-haul flights, including popular routes to Shanghai and Chicago, will see fewer departures. Seasonal destinations like Hurghada in Egypt have been completely suspended for the season. This disruption affects many passengers who had hoped to travel smoothly during the busy summer months.
Swiss is taking several short-term steps to ease the pilot shortage. The airline is encouraging pilots who qualify for retirement to delay their departure. It has also introduced a vacation buyback program to motivate staff to work more hours. Additionally, Swiss is asking part-time pilots to increase their hours to help fill gaps. The airline is working closely with its pilot union, Aeropers, to improve roster flexibility and reduce fatigue-related absences. Swiss says it still needs about 70 more full-time pilots to return to normal operations. The company promises to inform affected passengers early and offers flexible rebooking or refund options.
This pilot shortage is not unique to Switzerland. Across Europe, many airlines are struggling with the same problem. The result has been cancellations, reduced flight frequencies, and urgent staffing measures.
KLM, the Dutch airline, has also admitted it faces challenges in staffing its long-haul flights during the summer. Even though KLM has a record number of pilots, it suffers from increased sick leave and a rise in part-time work. These factors mean the airline effectively loses the work hours equivalent to 50 full-time pilots every year. To ease pressure, Air France pilots will temporarily fly some KLM routes, such as Amsterdam to New York, from July to October.
British Airways and easyJet are responding with aggressive hiring campaigns. British Airways is offering up to €100,000 to cover training costs for new pilot recruits. The airline aims to attract around 60 new trainees annually to help rebuild its pilot ranks. Despite these efforts, British Airways has already had to suspend several short-haul summer routes. Flights from Gatwick to popular vacation spots like Santorini and Mykonos have been temporarily halted.
The pilot shortage has deep roots in the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, many pilot training programs were paused or delayed. At the same time, a significant number of older pilots chose to retire early, seeing little future in the uncertain travel market. This has left a gap that airlines are struggling to fill.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) predicts about 4,300 pilots will retire annually through 2042. This trend is reflected in Europe, where many experienced pilots are leaving the profession. Meanwhile, new pilots are not entering the workforce fast enough to replace them.
Boeing forecasts that the world will need about 674,000 new pilots in the next 20 years to meet rising travel demand. Consulting firm Oliver Wyman warns that by 2032, the global shortfall could reach 80,000 pilots. Europe alone might be short around 19,000 pilots.
To meet this demand, some airlines are loosening language and nationality requirements. This move aims to widen the recruitment pool by allowing more candidates to qualify for pilot training.
For travellers, the summer pilot shortage means potential headaches. Flights may be cancelled or rescheduled with little notice. Schedules might have fewer direct routes, leading to longer layovers and increased competition for available seats.
Experts advise passengers to book flights early and allow extra time between connections. Staying alert for airline updates is also key. Many airlines, including Swiss, offer flexible rebooking or refund options, but quick action by travellers is important to secure the best alternatives.
As airlines work to rebuild pilot capacity, travellers may continue to experience disruptions — not only this summer but for the years ahead. The aviation industry faces a challenging road to recovery, with pilot shortages likely to remain a significant hurdle.
