Foreign airline companies deny employment to Russian aviators
Russian Pilots Struggle to Secure Jobs with Foreign Airlines
Russian aviation officials face obstacles in securing work contracts for pilots with foreign airlines, according to a report by Kommersant. Five industry sources claim that they were unable to obtain confirmation of a pilot's certificate from Rosaviatsiya, Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency, during requests from foreign aviation authorities and carriers.
Obtaining such information is a standard procedure as the prospective employer must confirm the issuance and validity of the pilot's certificate. However, Rosaviatsiya argues that they withhold such information in the interests of protecting personal data.
The inability to obtain confirmation has led to a significant number of pilots being unable to secure positions in foreign airlines. According to union data, around 600 requests for employment for Russian pilots were received from Southeast Asia and Turkey since March, but only 100 were successfully filled.
Reports indicate that Rosaviatsiya has ignored requests from foreign aviation authorities since 2016, mainly due to the active growth of air transport in Russia and the subsequent demand for pilots in other countries. Currently, the Russian Ministry of Transport fears that due to the shortage of personnel, it may struggle to meet Vladimir Putin's order to maintain a passenger volume of 100 million by the end of the year.
In contrast, Miroslav Boychuk, President of the Russian Aircrew Union, asserts that Rosaviatsiya has fulfilled requests from foreign aviation authorities since late February and mid-June. Turkish carriers are actively recruiting Russian specialists, while some Russian pilots who departed from Azur Air have received job offers from the new Turkish carrier, MGA. S7 Airlines has also sent around 20 of its pilots to the UAE for a three-month stint, with several slated to work for AirArabia until September under a short-term contract.
The restrictions on air communication have caused an average decline of 40% in pilot incomes in Russia, leading to the layoff of hundreds of specialists.
As geopolitical tensions and sanctions pose limitations on opportunities for Russian pilots to work with foreign airlines, the global aviation industry's competitiveness and specific requirements for hiring pilots create additional hurdles.
The role of Rosaviatsiya is crucial in regulating and overseeing aviation activities in Russia, including the training and certification of pilots. While the provided search results do not delve into Rosaviatsiya's role in the context of Russian pilots working abroad, it is likely involved in ensuring compliance with international aviation standards and regulations, potentially influencing the employability of Russian pilots globally. Rosaviatsiya would generally be responsible for the regulation and certification of Russian pilot training and engagement in international cooperation to ensure that Russian aviation certifications are recognized globally.
- The lack of confirmation from Rosaviatsiya on Russian pilots' certificates creates challenges in the finance and business sectors, as foreign airlines are reluctant to hire unverified pilots.
- The political implications of this situation extend beyond the aviation industry, as the inability of Russian pilots to find jobs abroad could potentially strain relations with foreign countries in the field of transportation and general-news.
- The global competition in the aviation industry, combined with geopolitical tensions and sanctions, increases the difficulty for Russian pilots to secure jobs abroad, highlighting the importance of Rosaviatsiya's role in regulating and facilitating international cooperation for the recognition of Russian aviation certifications.
