Boeing Forecast Rising Demand For Commercial Pilots And Technicians

KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 (Bernama) -- Boeing is projecting a continued strong growth in demand for commercial aviation pilots and maintenance technicians as the global fleet expands over the next 20 years. In its 2014 Pilot and Technician Outlook released Wednesday, the aircraft manufacturer projected that between 2014 and 2033, the world’s aviation system would require 533,000 new commercial airline pilots and 584,000 new commercial airline maintenance technicians. Boeing Flight Services Vice-President, Sherry Carbary, said: "The challenge of meeting the global demand for airline professionals cannot be solved by one company or in one region of the world. "This is a global issue that can only be solved by all of the parties involved which includes airlines, aircraft and training equipment manufacturers, training delivery organizations, regulatory agencies and educational institutions around the world." The 2014 outlook projected continued increase in pilot demand, which is up approximately seven per cent compared to 2013, and in maintenance training, which increased just over five per cent. Projected demand for the Asia Pacific region alone would be 216,000 pilots and 224,000 technicians. Boeing said pilot demand in the Asia Pacific region now comprised 41 per cent of the world’s need and the Middle East region saw significant growth since last year’s outlook due to increased airline capacity and orders for wide-body models which required more crew members. Overall, the company projected the global demand was driven by steadily increasing airplane deliveries, particularly wide-body airplanes, and represented a global requirement for about 27,000 new pilots and 29,000 new technicians. annually. --BERNAMA