Last year, CAPA shared their 2023 Megatrends and World Summit Agenda regarding the global aviation trends predicted for 2024, where it was highlighted that labor qualification and retention will remain an operational challenge in the upcoming years. With costs continuously rising and regulatory approvals slowing down hiring processes, airlines are facing the need to provide innovative measures that meet the industry’s demands. But how do we overcome these challenges with solutions that are both sustainable and cost-effective?
Shortage of qualified professionals and the urging need for sustainable working models
With demand for air travel constantly increasing, airlines are struggling to recruit and retain skilled and experienced personnel, resulting in a major challenge as they strive to maintain efficient operations, provide excellent customer service, and ensure job security for their employees. Flexibility and adaptability have become paramount in ensuring seamless operations while catering to the changing demands of the market – which include the ability to quickly scale up or down operations, adapt scheduling to meet fluctuating passenger demands and optimize crew resources efficiently. People want flexibility and adaptability, and to offer job security on those terms may come as a challenge to many airlines.
Reversing traffic, saving costs, and ensuring job security with Total Crew Management™
AAP Aviation’s Total Crew Management™ focuses on reversing traffic and reversing the way airlines operate by providing a total package of crew management solutions based on where people live. This approach offers a comprehensive solution to access a global pool of qualified professionals and the need for sustainable working models, enhancing job security for aviation professionals on local competitive terms. The model also supports airlines in overcoming the challenges related to regulatory approvals and dialogue with the local unions, as it places great importance on the value of collective bargaining and solid labor agreements (CBA and CLA) – and creates an environment that empowers crew to create a successful career path.
With Total Crew Management™ in place, airlines can engage competent professionals from different regions of the world, thereby ensuring a cost-effective and sustainable supply of skilled aircrew members. The approach not only helps bridge the talent gap but also provides cost optimization for airlines, reducing their expenditure on training, recruitment, and crew management. One of AAP Aviation’s long-lasting TCM clients is Finnair, Finland’s biggest airline and a client since 2015.
“New companies are now taking a global approach and going into new markets, and there is a new need for crewing solutions. It is extremely complex to have crew bases all over the World. You need infrastructure knowledge and appropriate legal knowledge – I believe we have the right model for the future”, says Espen Høiby, CEO at AAP Aviation.
CAPA’s predicted trends for 2024 also address the need to increase investments in in-house resources while forming strategic partnerships with specialized recruiters and providers.
This two-fold approach can effectively address the shortage of professionals in the industry and ensure a sustainable future for aviation. As we look toward the future and the challenges it may bring, our Total Crew Management™ model proves to be an innovative and sustainable solution that will help shape a successful aviation ecosystem in 2024 and beyond.
