The aviation industry has a labor shortage that goes way beyond pilots. Since the resurgence of travel following a slump during the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines and airports have tried aggressively hiring and reshaping training programs to attract talent, but they are still catching up after "revenge travel" took off in 2022 and continues to soar this year.
Strikes by aviation employees in parts of Europe have highlighted the sector's difficult working conditions, including low pay and long shifts, often required of workers. These have threatened to impact airport operations in the past and have brought the needs of airport support staff to the forefront. At a time when aviation workers are in high demand and yet, increasingly becoming harder to find and retain, employers in aviation are starting to offer unusual perks in the hopes of luring workers. How about a free iPhone, car, or on-site childcare services?
