Japan targets Australian pilots

[Bucky]

FIRST it was airlines from Southeast Asia and the Gulf states, now the Japanese are attempting to head off a looming skills shortage by wooing Aussie pilots.

Even though Australia is experiencing its own shortage, Air Japan officials were in Sydney last week with agents International Airline Crewing offering confirmed business class travel to and from work in Japan and guaranteed promotional prospects in an attempt to lure pilots overseas.

Air Japan executive vice-president Junichi Toyama said the ANA subsidiary was concerned about the combined effects of industry expansion and increased competition in Japan as well as the retirement of experienced pilots.

Mr Toyama said the opening of a fourth runway at Tokyo's Haneda Airport in 2010 would allow Air Japan to expand its network and give other airlines an opportunity to move into Japan. Narita Airport would also lengthen its runway to allow more long-haul operations.
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"Our ANA Group's immediate concern is how to secure our pilot workforce for the possible expansion in that year," Mr Toyama said.

"And it's well known to the industry that the so-called baby boomers – experienced veteran pilots – are retiring every year over these few years.

"ANA Group is losing 100 experienced pilots annually."

Although Air Japan is training pilots and urging existing pilots to extend their contracts, it still needs expatriate pilots and is offering incentives as it competes for them with airlines from the Gulf states. It is offering young first officers on its Boeing 767-300ERs a guarantee of command in their first contract as well as confirmed business travel and flexible rostering.

It is also promoting positives such as the company's stability, new aircraft and high maintenance standards that mean the minimum equipment list is very rarely used.

Mr Toyama said compensation at the airline was currently in the middle range of carriers but was expected to steadily improve.

But he said the lifestyle and experience that could be gained in Japan should also be emphasised.

The airline was also looking for pilots to establish a long-term career with the airline.

http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,26058,23334564-5014090,00.html

[2triky]

I understand they are enticing the Australian pilots with promises of vast quantities of Japanese whale meat for their personal consumption.