politics
February 17, 2026
US airlines told to stop DEI-hiring pilots
The US Department of Transportation has issued a sweeping mandate requiring all commercial airlines to formally commit to merit-based hiring
TL;DR
- Commercial airlines must commit to merit-based pilot hiring.
- Race or sex are explicitly barred as factors in pilot recruitment.
- Airlines must certify the termination of DEI practices in pilot selection.
- Non-compliance may result in federal investigation.
- The directive is presented as a safety measure to ensure the most qualified pilots.
- This mandate aligns with a broader campaign to remove DEI initiatives from federal government and regulated industries.