The lack of pilots and technicians is not a new problem. Whenever a new airline was established or airlines expanded its plane fleet, they try to lure pilots from other airlines instead of training new pilots, leading to intense competition.

In the most recent case, many Vietnam Airlines pilots have gone to work at Bamboo Airways. Duong Tri Thanh, director of Vietnam Airlines, said investment into pilots and technicians was huge.

The boom in the aviation industry has led to a shortage of airlines staff as well as infrastructure. Currently, Vietnamese pilot salaries are around 75% of that of foreign pilots.

"Some new firms are willing to pay higher wages," he said.

Vietnam Airlines salaries for pilots are regulated so they are proposing to give them autonomy over staff salaries.

They also asked the authorities to adopt regulations to deal with pilots who switch companies but haven't fulfilled their commitments to their previous employer.

Plans to transfer pilots from more experienced airlines can be considered.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam also needs personnel. They only have 30 flight supervisors, which meets 30% of the demand.

Highly-skilled technicians are hard to come by while the airlines keep expanding their fleets.

They had to send a report to the Ministry of Transport when Bamboo Airways proposed to increase its fleet to 40 planes.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, they only have enough personnel to manage 256 Vietnamese aircraft. If Bamboo Airways adds another 30 planes to their fleet, they will have to deal with 277 aircraft.

After receiving the feedback, the Government Office issued a prime ministerial document tasking the Ministry of Transport to submit a report about the problem within June.

Nguoi Lao Dong/Dtinews

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