Embraer jets spark war for pilots between Latam and Azul

The entry of Embraer’s E195-E2 jets into the Latam Brasil fleet is already having concrete effects on the aviation job market, even before the start of commercial operations scheduled for the end of 2026. The company began an aggressive process of hiring pilots qualified to operate the Brazilian manufacturer’s aircraft, a move that placed Azul at the center of a direct dispute for specialized labor.

Currently, Azul is the only one of the country’s major airlines that operates Embraer jets on a large scale. This meant that the majority of pilots with experience in this type of aircraft were concentrated in the company, making this group the main target of Latam’s recruitment to form the initial core of E195-E2 crews and instructors.

Latam’s offensive includes a financial incentive that is unusual in the Brazilian market. The company offers one-time bonuses of R$160,000 for captains and R$80,000 for copilots approved in the selection process. The first pilots hired have already started receiving admission notices, although the company has not disclosed the total number of professionals selected so far.

Latam’s strategy foresees early training of crews before the delivery of the first 12 E195-E2 jets, scheduled for the last quarter of 2026. According to the CEO of Latam Brasil, Jerome Cadier, the aircraft should enter into operation as soon as they are received, with a focus on feeding hubs and opening new routes in smaller cities. The expectation is to add 25 to 30 new destinations in the country using the model.

On the other side of the dispute, Azul recently announced the hiring of 140 new crew members, in an attempt to contain losses. Still, industry sources believe that the departure of pilots is inevitable. The company faces a more delicate scenario, marked by a judicial recovery process in the United States and the reduction in crew numbers in recent years, despite the growth of the fleet.

Industry data indicates that Azul lost more than 300 pilots in a 12-month period. At the same time, the company was the target of labor questions related to shifts and rest periods, which also contributed to increasing internal dissatisfaction. When contacted, Azul stated that it invests in attracting, retaining and training its professionals.

Experts highlight that Brazil is not yet experiencing a pilot blackout, but the risk grows as demand increases and training does not keep pace. Estimates indicate that around 25 thousand pilots are able to work in the market, with approximately 16 thousand in direct operation in civil aviation. However, the annual training of Airline Pilots is only around 300 new professionals, a number considered insufficient to meet the planned expansion.

Furthermore, the global demand for pilots remains high. Boeing projections indicate the need for more than 600,000 professionals by 2044, which increases the risk of migration of Brazilian pilots to more attractive markets, such as the North American.

For analysts, the arrival of the E195-E2 marks a structural change in the domestic market. Latam now competes in a segment historically dominated by Azul, especially on regional routes. The competitive impact, however, will depend on Latam’s ability to integrate the new fleet efficiently, keeping costs under control and expanding connectivity without compromising profitability.