Boeing: Pilot shortage looms as air-travel demand skyrockets

A tightening labor market and growing demand for airline travel is expected to dramatically increase the need for new pilots over the next 20 years, according to a study from Boeing released on Monday.

The projection comes as the Senate weighs whether to drop a measure to facilitate pilot training from its bill reauthorizing funding for the Federal Aviation Administration. Key sponsors are hoping to move the legislation to the Senate floor before the current funding expires after Sept. 30, but a looming battle over a new Supreme Court justice may delay consideration.