Boeing has predicted a demand for 790,000 new pilots over the next two decades, doubling the existing workforce.
Part of the company’s new 2018 Pilot & Technician Outlook, the forecast is based on an expected doubling of the global commercial aircraft fleet, an increasing demand for air travel and a tightening labour supply.
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The outlook,which is based on data from the business aviation and civil helicopter sectors, also predicted that demand for maintenance technicians is set to decrease from 648,000 a year ago to 622,000.
The projected decrease is thought to be due to longer maintenance intervals for new aircraft.
Demand for commercial cabin crew is expected to increase slightly from last year’s projection of 839,000 to 858,000, because of the changes in fleet mix, regulatory requirements, denser seat configurations and multi-cabin configurations that offer additional personalised service.
32,000 new cabin crew will be required to support business aviation.
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By GlobalDataIn addition, the business aviation and civil helicopter sectors are estimated to see a collective demand for 155,000 new pilots and 132,000 technicians.
Boeing Global Services Training and Professional Services vice-president Keith Cooper said: “Despite strong global air traffic growth, the aviation industry continues to face a pilot labour supply challenge, raising concern about the existence of a global pilot shortage in the near-term.
“An emphasis on developing the next generation of pilots is key to help mitigate this.
“With a network of training campuses and relationships with flight schools around the globe, Boeing partners with customers, governments and educational institutions to help ensure the market is ready to meet this significant pilot demand.”
Boeing currently runs a Pilot Development Program to train future pilots from early stage ab-initio training through type rating as a first officer.
