The airline industry is facing a shortage of pilots as many opted for early retirement during the pandemic, and steep training costs and low starting wages for commercial pilots are deterring potential entrants to the field.

Citing market forces, a lack of demand for pilots in China and new limits on international students, the Moncton Flight College is suspending operations at its Fredericton location for 2025.

A congressional report in 2019 warned the Pentagon faced a shortfall of over 3,000 pilots which it states has been "several years in the making."