Airline hires overseas pilots

Shanghai Airlines has begun hiring foreign pilots to make the most of the boom in air travel despite a staff shortage. So far eight pilots from countries including the US and Sweden have signed up to fly MD-11 cargo planes, according to state media. With annual growth rates of 30% in recent years, the airline has found recruiting enough pilots a challenge. As training a new pilot takes the best part of a decade, hiring experienced overseas staff is seen as a logical solution.