Air Baltic captain says airlines are hiring as profits rise

Air Baltic captain Lembitu Lükk says aviation is in a strong position, with airlines making record profits each summer and jobs available for pilots. He spoke on the Raadio 2 programme R2 Hommik, ERR reports.

Lükk said the industry last faced difficult conditions during the Covid pandemic. Since travel resumed, airlines have recovered quickly as people have money to spend. He said pilots can apply to airlines across the industry and that he is not worried about losing his job.

Becoming a captain requires training and flight experience. In Estonia, the aviation academy offers a four-year course that provides both higher education and a pilot licence. Pilots need at least 1,500 flight hours to qualify for captain training, although Lükk said his company requires 3,000.

Pilots can fly up to about 900 hours a year. Lükk said they are more likely to fly between 700 and 900 hours, meaning it can take several years to reach the experience threshold. Flight hours alone are not enough, he added; pilots also need to build up their knowledge and skills.

The captain sits in the left-hand seat in the cockpit, while the first officer sits on the right. Lükk said the captain is responsible for everything during a flight and oversees the aircraft’s processes. He also cited better pay and the heavier captain’s insignia as advantages of the role.