Worldwide there is a shortage pilots and the New Zealand Airline Pilots Association says it is concerned New Zealand's own airlines are not investing enough in the ongoing training of local pilots. Emirates pilots typically work 85 hours a month. Mitchell said Emirates flies to 155 destination in 83 countries and its 4227 pilots were busy. Pilots would be flying the biggest passenger plane in the world, the Airbus A380 or Boeing 777s, ''which is no slug either". The New Zealand Air Line Pilots Association says together with government and industry financial barriers must be lowered to entry in order to retain New Zealand's best talent.

Source: New Zealand Herald April 21, 2017 03:11 UTC