Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines reportedly plans to reduce pilot hiring through 2024, signaling the airline's post-pandemic hiring rush is a thing of the past. This comes as the industry has faced an ongoing shortage of pilots since pandemic restrictions began to ease nearly three years ago.

Airlines have also had to deal with pilots demanding new contracts with higher salaries. At least four major US airlines have reached new negotiating agreements in 2023, with Southwest Airlines being the latest, offering a 50% pay increase for its pilots.

According to Skift, Delta says it plans to hire fewer pilots in 2024 than in recent years. The airline expects to have just over 1,000 pilots on board this year, about half of those hired in 2023. With record numbers of passengers taking to the skies each year since the pandemic, airlines need more pilots to meet demand.