Wanted: 558,000 new pilots over 20 years

New York - About 40 per cent of the new commercial pilots, or 226,000, will be needed in the Asia-Pacific region, according to a report.

Commercial airlines will need to recruit and train 558,000 new pilots over the next 20 years to meet rising travel demand, according to a forecast released by Boeing.
About 40 per cent of the new commercial pilots, or 226,000, will be needed in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the report.
The demand is similar for airplane maintenance technicians, where there will be a need for 609,000 new hires. The Asia-Pacific is again home to the biggest portion with 238,000, or 39 per cent. The additional staff will be needed to run a projected 38,000 new aircraft added to the global fleet over the next 20 years, the US aerospace giant said.
"The challenge of meeting the global demand for airline professionals will not be solved by one company alone," said Sherry Carbary, vice-president of Boeing Flight Services. "Aircraft manufacturers, airlines, training equipment manufacturers, training delivery organisations, regulatory agencies and educational institutions are all stepping up to meet the increasing need to train and certify pilots and technicians." - AFP