Chinese pilots desperate about working conditions

China is currently experiencing a boost in aviation and, due to pilot shortages, one might think that becoming a pilot in China is a thoughtful decision now. But those already on this job know better.

Dozens of Chinese pilots signed, last month, an open letter where they criticize unfair salary structures between Chinese and other foreign pilots, unsafe flight conditions caused by cockpit problems and, as pilots stated, ‘blind expansion’ of the airline and ‘destructive usage’ of pilots.

‘The sense of superiority in the bones of white people, plus unfair payments, has made the relationship between Chinese and foreign pilots intense, extremely unhelpful to cockpit management and will eventually threaten flight safety,’ wrote the pilots in the letter.

Pilots demand, or rather hope, for a new leave policy to be implemented as the current work amount has left their physical and mental state ‘severely damaged.’

China’s national airline has over a thousand flights on peak travel days but employs only 3,700 flight crew members.

The Chinese financial news site Yicai reports that pilots from the national Air China airline have the lowest salary in the country in terms of hourly wages.

In addition, Chinese pilots are not allowed to quit their jobs as resignation letters must be approved by the airline company.