UPS Plans to Recruit 300 Pilots Following Contract Award by USPS

UPS has announced the recruitment of more than 300 pilots in response to increased demand for air freight, following the acquisition of a multi-year contract with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The announcement comes after UPS was named the new lead partner of the USPS, a contract previously held by FedEx for more than two decades.

The union representing UPS air crews, the Independent Pilots Association, confirmed that the company's human resources department had resumed its recruitment process to support this anticipated growth. "The additional volume generated by the new USPS contract will require an ongoing adjustment in the number of crew members required, starting with an initial estimate of over 300 pilots," explains the union in a statement relayed by Freight Waves.

This expansion contrasts with the strategy of the previous year, when UPS offered early retirement buyouts to some of its pilots due to a drop in demand for air freight services. The new contract with the USPS, which begins on September 30, 2024, will run for a base period of five and a half years, strengthening UPS's role in the national logistics sector.

The award of this contract and the associated recruitment plan mark a significant turning point for UPS, strengthening its position in air freight transport and illustrating the importance of strategic partnerships in the growth and adaptation of major logistics companies to market fluctuations.

Source : Air Journal