DURING this year’s May Day holiday, Park Wan-geun, a Republic of Korea (ROK) pilot, was busy preparing for his new job with an airline based in Tianjin, North China.

Having previously worked for a Hangzhou-based firm as a pilot in 2016, Park gained considerable experience flying Airbus planes to numerous destinations across China, including Beijing, Chengdu, and Xi’an.

However, he quit his job during the pandemic to return to his home country. With the aviation market making a strong recovery, Park decided to return to China this year and has passed a series of assessments to become a captain with Tianjin Airlines.

During the May Day holiday, the Civil Aviation Administration of China reported that air passenger trips reached 9.41 million, averaging 1.88 million per day over the five-day period. This represents a more than five-fold increase from last year and a 4.2% increase from 2019.

Since the beginning of this year, Tianjin Airlines, like many other domestic airlines, has gradually resumed its domestic and cross-border flights and initiated new routes. The airline has restored flights to cities such as London and Sydney, while the number of domestic air passengers continues to increase.

According to Bai Chunyan, the general manager of the flight department at Tianjin Airlines, the company is recruiting highly experienced pilots, particularly from overseas, in response to China’s civil aviation industry’s recovery. By introducing seasoned pilots, the airline hopes to establish a talent pool that can serve as a reserve for its team of pilots and provide better service to passengers.

Many foreign pilots from South American and Asian countries anticipate new opportunities in the Chinese market, with some claiming that Chinese airlines offer better pay and more desirable working locations. Additionally, many have expressed their willingness to relocate to China with their families after working in the country.

The introduction of foreign pilots has played a positive role in expanding pilot teams and civil aviation fleets in China, especially for private companies.

Data shows that by the end of 2022, there were 3,340 valid pilot licenses held by foreigners in China. In some large domestic private airlines, the number of foreigners once accounted for more than 20% of their pilots.

Park expressed amazement at the fast development of the country’s aviation industry over the past decade, with airports across the country growing in size. He was also impressed by the professionalism and dedication of his Chinese colleagues during his time working in China.

“I hope I can finish the necessary training as soon as possible, and take off again alongside my Chinese colleagues,” Park said.

(Xinhua)