The number of Canadian pilots seeking to fly in the United States is expected to triple by 2022, according to previously unreported data from the U.S. government, raising concerns about worsening shortages in Canada as pilots seek to increase their wages.

In 2022, 147 Canadian pilots applied for a license to operate commercial aircraft in the United States, up from 39 in 2021, according to data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The total number of foreign applications doubled to 1,442.

The high demand for travel in the United States, where pilots are receiving historic wage increases, is attracting foreign pilots despite delays and rising immigration costs, according to lawyers, unions, and pilots.

Despite the modest size of the increase in the United States, the applications are concerning for Canadian regional airlines, which, like their American counterparts, are facing staff shortages as major airlines lose pilots, according to industry experts.

It could also exert pressure on Air Canada during negotiations with its pilots, whose contracts expire on September 29.

For its part, Air Canada said this week it will end its nonstop flights from Calgary at the end of October due to resource pressures stemming from an industry-wide shortage of regional pilots.

John Grady, a lecturer in aviation management at McGill University in Montreal, said this is certainly a concern.

Mark Taylor, president of the Unifor local union representing the company’s pilots, stated that at least 10% of the company’s 490 pilots at Sunwing Airlines are applying to work in the United States.

Taylor added he brought this issue to Sunwing's attention, which did not respond to our request for comment. WestJet Airlines has purchased Sunwing, which also did not respond to requests for comment.

Two pilots from Sunwing, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they have not yet informed their employer of their plans, said they obtained licenses to fly in the United States and are waiting to complete their immigration paperwork, due to the higher salary and the cost of living in major Canadian cities.

Lawyer Jean-François Harvey stated that about 29 percent of the 560 foreign pilots he has assisted in the past 12 months are Canadians flying with Air Canada, WestJet, and Sunwing.

Air Canada also said it cannot comment on individual pilots’ career choices, but noted that it does not have difficulty attracting pilots to the main airline.