Boeing is forecasting continued strong growth in demand for commercial pilots and maintenance technicians as the global fleet expands over the next 20 years.
Boeing’s 2014 Pilot and Technician Outlook, released last week at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, projects that between 2014 and 2033, the world’s aviation system will require 533,000 new commercial airline pilots and 584,000 new commercial airline maintenance technicians.
“The challenge of meeting the global demand for airline professionals cannot be solved by one company or in one region of the world,” said Sherry Carbary, vice president, Boeing Flight Services. “This is a global issue that can only be solved by all of the parties involved — airlines, aircraft and training equipment manufacturers, training delivery organizations, regulatory agencies and educational institutions around the world.”
The 2014 outlook projects continued increases in pilot demand, which is up approximately 7% compared to 2013; and in maintenance training, which increased just over 5%.
Pilot demand in the Asia Pacific region now comprises 41% 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 require more crew members, Boeing officials said.
Overall, the global demand is driven by steadily increasing airplane deliveries, particularly wide-body airplanes, and represents a global requirement for about 27,000 new pilots and 29,000 new technicians annually.
Projected demand for new pilots and technicians by global region:
- Asia Pacific – 216,000 pilots and 224,000 technicians
- Europe – 94,000 pilots and 102,000 technicians
- North America – 88,000 pilots and 109,000 technicians
- Latin America – 45,000 pilots and 44,000 technicians
- Middle East – 55,000 pilots and 62,000 technicians
- Africa – 17,000 pilots and 19,000 technicians
- Russia and CIS – 18,000 pilots and 24,000 technicians