Aviation faces pilot shortages, aging fleets, and the green paradox of high SAF costs and rising emissions

A new analysis highlights three major crises hitting the aviation industry: a pilot shortage as experienced captains retire and training costs soar, an aging fleet stuck flying older planes due to spare parts shortages from pandemic and geopolitical disruptions, and the green paradox where sustainable aviation fuels cost 3 to 5 times more than jet fuel and require massive land use to scale. The report warns that cheap, reliable, guilt-free flights were a historical anomaly. Passengers should expect higher ticket prices to cover green fuel and pilot wages, more delays from old planes and missing parts, and growing controversy around flying's carbon footprint. The industry is stuck between flying less and going bankrupt or flying more and worsening emissions.