SriLankan Airlines in tight spot with pilots leaving, but not panicking

• CEO Nuttall says exodus has slowed down but should definitely watch situation
• Points out SriLankan pilots are sought after by international airlines due to training received with carrier
• Currently managing situation by looking to recruit pilots within country via cadet pilot scheme and offering contracts to pilots nearing retirement

By Shabiya Ali Ahlam

National carrier SriLankan Airlines is currently in a tight situation with the declining number of pilots it has but the scenario is manageable as of now, its CEO said. 

The carrier faced an exodus of pilots towards the latter part of 2022. However, the situation has somewhat improved, SriLankan Airlines CEO Richard Nuttall said. 

“The exodus has slowed down. It is a matter we should definitely watch but we are not panicking. It’s tight but OK at the moment,” he said speaking exclusively to Mirror Business this week.  Following the economic and political crisis that hit the country early last year, the island nation is seeing an outflux of human resources. Many continue to leave the country for better employment opportunities, prospects 
and pay.  

 SriLankan pilots expressed their dissatisfaction with the airline in February 2022, when they engaged in a ‘Fly for Roster’ campaign.

To highlight their grievances, which included lower dollar exchange at which the salaries were calculated, the pilots refrained from working on off days and called on the management to step up efforts in ironing out the issues. 

Nuttall shared that SriLankan pilots are sought after by other international airlines, due to the training they have received. 

“We train pretty well, so a lot of other airlines are interested in our pilots,” he said. 

Industry sources have shared in the past that the pilots of the national carrier have been actively applying to the Middle Eastern carriers, namely Qatar Airways and Emirates. 

To address the issue, Nuttall said the airline is recruiting pilots and has also rolled out a cadet pilot scheme. 

Efforts are taken to source pilots within Sri Lanka as much as possible, while advertisements have been placed for expatriate pilots.  Those who have flown with the carrier previously have indicated that they would return, Nuttall said.

Further, within the regulatory facilities, SriLankan is also opting to extend contracts to the pilots who are nearing retirement.