The factors influencing entry level airline pilot retention: An empirical study of Ryanair
Efthymiou, MarinaORCID: 0000-0001-7430-7417, Usher, David, O'Connell, John F., Warnock-Smith, DavidORCID: 0000-0002-1887-3278 and Conyngham, Gerry
(2020)
The factors influencing entry level airline pilot retention: An empirical study of Ryanair.
Journal of Air Transport Management, 91
.
pp. 1-10.
ISSN 0969-6997
Pilot retention has been a significant concern for airlines that find it difficult to recruit and maintain pilots who
are classified as high skilled employees. The aim of this research is to determine the factors that influence pilot
retention and investigate if these factors differ based on gender, age and level of commercial flying experience of
pilots. A mixed methods approach was used. Quantitative information was collected via an online survey sent to
394 Ryanair pilots. Nine in-depth expert interviews were conducted. The pilots ranked, in order of importance, a
number of retention-influencing factors spanning seven areas, identified with the help of interviewees and
secondary research. The results of the survey indicate that the most important retention influencing factors are
being based at home, working a fixed roster pattern for a financially stable airline, being paid a competitive
salary and having job security. This research provides qualitative evidence that airlines can use to develop or
update their financial and non-financial benefits packages and where necessary, amend work practices and
maximise pilot motivation to stay.
Metadata
Item Type:
Article (Published)
Refereed:
Yes
Additional Information:
Article Number 101997
Uncontrolled Keywords:
Air transport; Pilot retention; Ryanair; Airline pilots; Airline staff;
Retention of high skilled employees; Flight crew