Boeing: Half a million airline pilots needed
Photo courtesy of bls.gov
SEATTLE - Half a million new airline pilots will be needed in the next 20 years, to meet world demands of the aviation industry, according to the Boeing Company. The Puget Sound Business Journal reported that the Boeing estimates that 498,000 new commercial airline pilots and 556,000 new airline maintenance technicians will be needed by the year 2032. Boeing projects the new pilots and technicians are needed for new airplane deliveries worldwide.
Boeing said that the Asia market will need the most new pilots - 192,300 - followed by Europe, needing 99, 700, and North America, needing 85,700 new pilots, the Puget Sound Business Journal reported.
"The urgent demand for competent aviation personnel is a global issue that is here and now and is very real," said Sherry Carbary, vice president of Boeing Flight Services. The introduction of more efficient and smarter airplanes will require fewer mechanics over time, Boeing said in a press release. New airplane technologies featuring more advanced components are likely to lead in some areas to lower maintenance requirements and corresponding lower technician demand, Boeing said.