Demand is strong, but airlines are facing an aging workforce

Despite the fact that domestic airline ticket prices are up 21% from last year, people are still flying. With demand for air travel still strong, Boeing and Airbus are facing a combined backlog of over 13,000 ordered aircraft. With new planes on backorder, airlines are making do by fixing up the older planes they have.

But to do so, they need aircraft technicians. And that workforce is aging, too.

“There’s a big retirement cliff that is coming,” said Allison Pohle, who reported on the technician shortage for the Wall Street Journal.

In North America next year, airlines will have about 7,000 fewer certified aircraft technicians than they need.

“Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal talked to Pohle about the lengths airlines are going to to recruit new technicians.

To listen to their conversation, use the audio player above.