By Canadian Press

Military seeks to re-enrol commercial pilots laid off due to COVID-19

Apr 15, 2020 | 10:14 AM

OTTAWA — The Royal Canadian Air Force is getting creative about finding new pilots.

Commercial airlines across Canada have been temporarily laying off pilots in recent weeks as the industry struggles with plummeting demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now the Air Force is hoping to snatch up some of those pilots to address its own shortage of experienced aviators.

Over the past few years, the Air Force had already been reaching out to former military pilots who have hung up their uniforms for commercial gigs as a way to help fill more than 200 empty positions.

With the commercial airline industry now in disarray, the Air Force is stepping up its efforts by highlighting the stability that comes with a career in the military.

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Air Force spokesman Lt.-Col. Steve Neta says the early results have been encouraging as 26 former pilots have reached out in recent weeks to see about re-enrolling.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 15, 2020.

The Canadian Press