Despite a number of vacancies, airlines are struggling to find new staff. 

There is a global shortage though with over 200,000 pilots needed around the world.

Flying New Zealand President Tony Page told Mike Hosking that cost is a barrier to becoming a pilot.

He says that it costs $150,000 to get the various licenses, but that should not stop us from hiring and training local pilots.

“There is capacity in the system to train them, we just need to find the money.”

He says that airlines are looking for more pilot trainers, that would make it difficult to train up more pilots in the future.

LISTEN TO TONY PAGE TALK WITH MIKE HOSKING ABOVE