Boeing has projected that demand for pilots will double over the next 20 years in its 2018 Pilot & Technician Outlook report.
This represents a demand for 790 000 pilots, the most significant demand in the outlook’s nine-year history and is driven by an anticipated doubling of the global commercial airplane fleet, record-high air travel demand and a tightening labour supply.
The commercial pilot demand forecast was found to be holding steady while maintenance technician demand decreased slightly due to longer maintenance intervals for new aircraft. Collectively, the business aviation and civil helicopter sectors will demand an additional 155 000 pilots and 132 000 technicians.
In addition, 32 000 new cabin crew will be required to support business aviation.
“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,” said Boeing Global Services VP of Training & Professional Services, Keith Cooper. “An emphasis on developing the next generation of pilots is key to help mitigate this.”
