Chinese Airlines Lures South Korean Pilots with Better Working Conditions

More South Korean pilots are leaving local airlines, data showed Friday, apparently for better salaries and working conditions abroad.

According to the data by the transportation ministry, the number of pilots who left top flag carrier Korean Air Lines Co. during the January-July period stood at 42.

This is compared with 26 pilots leaving the company in 2013 and 27 in 2014, the data showed.

Pilots of Asiana Airlines Inc. who quit are also on the rise, with the figure coming to 29 during the first seven months of the year. The corresponding numbers for 2013 and 2014 stood at 24 and 31.

Pilots who left the two major airlines and five other local budget carriers totaled 138 until July this year, the data showed.

Some have found new jobs at other rival companies here, but most of them reportedly are moving to Chinese airlines that provide much higher pay and better working conditions.

A pilot working for 15 years at Korean Air is known to receive around 150 million won (US$126,796) annually but he can get up to 400 million won from Chinese companies, industry sources said.

Chinese companies are luring Korean pilots with other perks and benefits including tax incentives and support for their children's education.

Experts emphasize the need for measures to stem the massive personnel outflow given that a large amount of money and time is invested in training a qualified pilot.