Demand for pilots is affected by the strength of the economy and the tourism industry. A global economic downturn has affected the number of international tourists coming to New Zealand, which has in turn affected opportunities for pilots, especially those who do long-haul flights.
While the number of pilots rose by 30% between 2001 and 2006, from 1,560 to 2,073, the number of international travellers has been falling. This has affected the number of services offered by airlines, and the number of job vacancies for pilots.
Air New Zealand offers pilots flexibility as international travellers stay home
In February 2009, Air New Zealand said that in order to cut costs but keep staff during the economic downturn, it was offering pilots options such as:
- working for other airlines on short-term fixed contracts
- taking leave without pay
- cutting down on their hours
- taking pay cuts for flying smaller aircraft.
Qantas re-jig may affect job opportunities for pilots
As of June 2009, Qantas Airlines will split its domestic and trans-Tasman routes between its subsidiaries Jetconnect and Jetstar. Jetconnect will cover trans-Tasman and international flights, while Jetstar will take over domestic routes.
This change is expected to mean fewer pilot jobs with Jetconnect (based in Christchurch and Wellington), but these job losses may be offset by new jobs created at Jetstar.
Air New Zealand employs more than half of New Zealand's aeroplane pilots; 850 pilots work for the Air New Zealand line, and 450 pilots work for other airlines in the Air New Zealand group (Eagle Air, Air Nelson and Mt. Cook Airlines).
Pacific Blue Airlines and Qantas (through Jetconnect and Jetstar from June 2009) also employ a large percentage of airline pilots.
Aeroplane pilots work in many industries and for a variety of employers:
- national or international airlines
- regional airlines
- charter companies
- flying schools or aero clubs
- air rescue services
- corporate air services
- agricultural services operators
- the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Tourism New Zealand website - map of airline operators in New Zealand
Aeroplane pilots typically need to move to where their airlines or
companies are based.
Charter companies and flying schools operate throughout
New Zealand, while regional airlines typically operate in
smaller cities.
National and international airlines require pilots to be based in
Auckland, Christchurch or Wellington.
According to the 2006 Census, most pilots are based in Auckland, Canterbury, Waikato, Wellington and Otago.
