Boeing has lifted its forecast for the demand for pilots over the coming 20 years.
The aircraft maker’s 2017 Pilot and Technician Outlook, predicts 637,000 new commercial airline pilots will be needed between 2017 and 2036, a 3.2 per cent increase over its 2016 outlook.
They will fly the 41,030 new commercial aircraft Boeing expects will be in service by 2036. About 40 per cent of pilot demand will come from Asia Pacific, 18 per cent from North America and 17 per cent from Europe, Boeing predicts.
Boeing predicts demand for 839,000 new cabin crew members, up 2.7 per cent. Of these, 308,000 will be required in Asia Pacific, 173,000 in Europe, and 154,000 in the US.
However, Boeing’s forecast demand for aircraft maintenance engineers is down 4.6 per cent from its forecast a year ago, at 648,000 engineers. The reduction is because less routine maintenance will be required on new aircraft types. But Boeing says there will be an increased need for technicians skilled in avionics, composites and digital troubleshooting.
Demand for engineers will be greatest in Asia Pacific, with 256,000 required. North America will need 118,000 and in Europe, 111,000 will be required.
