Some 147 Canadian pilots applied for licenses to fly commercial jets in the United States in 2022, up from 39 in 2021, according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data. High travel demand in the United States, where pilots are securing historic wage increases, isattracting foreign aviators, despite delays and high costs of immigrating, according to lawyers, unions and pilots. While small, the increase in U.S. applications is worrisome for regional Canadian carriers, which like their U.S. counterparts, are wrestling with staffing shortages as they lose pilots to larger airlines, industry experts say. It could also put pressure on Air Canada (AC.TO) during negotiations with its pilots, whose contract expires on September 29. Air Canada pilots earned more before 2013.

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Persons: F, Andrew Kelly, John Gradek, Mark Taylor, Taylor, Sunwing, Attorney Jean, Francois Harvey, he's, Gradek, John McKenna, Allison Lampert, Andy Sullivan Organizations: Kennedy International Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Air Canada, McGill University, Sunwing Airlines, WestJet Airlines, Air, Air Line Pilots Association, United Airlines, Air Transport Association of Canada, Thomson Locations: Queens , New York City, U.S, United States, Canada, Calgary, Montreal, Canada's, Attorney, Air Canada