Turbulent skies ahead? Pandemic related workforce issues in air transportation

Abstract

This short topical issues paper focuses on the workforce issues facing the air transport industry in the post-pandemic landscape. We consider the extent of vaccine mandates and whether these mandates will introduce workforce issues for the global air transportation industry. Then we explore the extent of virus exposure and associated workforce disruptions due to sick calls and associated quarantine guidelines. We argue that vaccine mandates will have a limited impact on air transport in the near term but do not likely have an impact on the long-term workforce shortages expected in the industry. Conversely, employee illness will have a more significant impact in the near and long-term as variants spread and airline scheduling adjusts both tactically and operationally. As aviation rebounds after the pandemic, there have been additional challenges due to workforce shortages. These shortages affect aircrew as well as ground handlers, security agents and other airport workers. Ultimately, policymakers and airlines around the globe should carefully consider the impact of policies and the mechanisms to encourage employees to protect themselves against the COVID-19 virus and future variants, with consideration of the impacts during recovery as well as during the pandemic.