Every major airline carrier nationwide are continuing to face a pilot shortage that’s hampering efforts to ramp up flights, forcing them to step up training programs, recruit foreign pilots and even replace planes with buses. According to new data released Monday, from the National Aviation Administration, the industry needs to hire an average close to 15,000 new pilots each year until 2030. However, carriers say there’s no way they can get enough pilots trained fast enough to meet that level. That means the pilot shortage is unlikely to end anytime soon. which many say started at the onset of the pandemic.

This as thousands of pilots accepted buyouts or retired early because of the pandemic and federal aid failed to cover all the airline costs. Now with the travel season upon us, instead of increasing flight routes, many will be forced to remain the same, couple that with an increase of fuel leads to higher ticket prices for travelers.