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The factors influencing entry level airline pilot retention: An empirical study of Ryanair

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  • Efthymiou, Marina
  • Usher, David
  • O'Connell, John F.
  • Warnock-Smith, David
  • Conyngham, Gerry

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Efthymiou, Marina & Usher, David & O'Connell, John F. & Warnock-Smith, David & Conyngham, Gerry, 2021. "The factors influencing entry level airline pilot retention: An empirical study of Ryanair," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaitra:v:91:y:2021:i:c:s0969699720305792
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jairtraman.2020.101997
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Harvey, Geraint & Turnbull, Peter, 2006. "Employment Relations, Management Style and Flight Crew Attitudes at Low Cost Airline Subsidiaries:: The Cases of British Airways/Go and bmi/bmibaby," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 24(5), pages 330-337, October.
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    4. O’Connell, John F. & Williams, George, 2005. "Passengers’ perceptions of low cost airlines and full service carriers: A case study involving Ryanair, Aer Lingus, Air Asia and Malaysia Airlines," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 11(4), pages 259-272.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Loraine Brown & Marina Efthymiou & Caroline McMullan, 2022. "Recovering from a Major Aviation Disaster: The Airlines’ Family Assistance Centre," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-16, March.
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    4. Lambeth, Daniel & Lei, Zheng & Cheung, Tommy, 2022. "Airline pilot remuneration: A conceptual framework and empirical analysis of airlines in Australia," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 34-42.

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