Facing a Pilot Shortage, Swiss Cancels Flights.

Switzerland's national airline, Swiss, is canceling approximately 1,400 flights through October due to a pilot shortage, affecting short-haul routes from Zurich and Geneva, as well as some long-haul services to destinations like Shanghai and Chicago. The summer service to Hurghada, Egypt, is entirely suspended. To address the shortfall of about 70 full-time pilots, Swiss is implementing measures like voluntary retirement deferrals, vacation buybacks, and encouraging part-time pilots to work more hours. The airline is also collaborating with its pilot union, Aeropers, to enhance roster flexibility and reduce fatigue-related absences. Affected passengers will be rebooked on Swiss, Lufthansa Group, Star Alliance, or other airlines, with options for refunds or rebooking.Swiss isn't alone in facing these challenges. Across Europe, airlines like KLM, Air France, British Airways, and easyJet are grappling with similar pilot shortages, leading to trimmed summer schedules and contingency plans. KLM, despite having more pilots, struggles with increased sick leave and part-time work, losing the equivalent of 50 full-time positions annually. Air France pilots are temporarily operating some KLM routes, while British Airways and easyJet are aggressively recruiting, offering perks like covering €100,000 in training costs for new pilots. The industry's pilot shortage stems from paused training and accelerated retirements during the pandemic, with Europe potentially facing a deficit of 19,000 pilots by 2032. Globally, nearly 80,000 new pilots may be needed by then.For travelers, this means potential disruptions, especially on short-haul and connecting flights, with fewer direct options, longer layovers, and higher seat competition. Experts recommend booking early, allowing extra transfer time, and monitoring airline updates closely to secure the best rebooking options. (Word count: 280)Explain pilot shortage causesImpact on airfare pricesmore concise summary