Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has raised concern over the dearth of pilots, technicians, and cabin crew as the plane maker in its 2022-2041 Pilot and Technician Outlook (PTO).
The outlook projects that Africa will need 20,000 pilots, 21,000 technicians, and 26,000 cabin crew.
It estimated that 602,000 pilots, 610,000 maintenance technicians, and 899,000 cabin crew members will be required to operate the global commercial fleet set to nearly double to 47,080 aircraft by 2041.
Boeing projected increased demand for 2.1 million new aviation personnel over the next 20 years to support the commercial aviation sector’s steady recovery and meet the anticipated surge in demand for air travel.
This year’s projections surpass 2021 estimates by 3.4 percent, excluding the Russian Federation in line with the Western sanctions forbidding aircraft exports to the transcontinental country.
China, Europe, and North America collectively represent more than 50 per cent of the total global demand for aviation professionals, with Africa, Southeast Asia, and South Asia taking the lead as the fastest-growing markets expected to grow by four percent over the projected period.
“As the commercial aviation industry recovers from the pandemic and plans for long-term growth, we anticipate a steady and increasing demand for aviation personnel, as well as the ongoing need for highly effective training,” Boeing Global Services’ Vice President of Commercial Training Solutions, Chris Broom said, stressing that the company’s customer-centric approach and digital expertise include a commitment to delivering data-driven, competency-based training and assessment solutions as well as technologies that meet customers’ evolving needs.
According to Boeing, China will require 126,000 pilots, 124,000 technicians, and 162,000 cabin crew.
The European market demand for pilots is estimated to reach 122,000, 120,000 technicians, and 207,000 cabin crew, while the Latin American market will need 35,000 pilots, 35,000 technicians, and 48,000 cabin crew.
For the Middle East, 53,000 pilots, 50,000 technicians, and 99,000 cabin crew will be needed compared to 128,000; 134,000, and 173,000 in North America and 22,000, 24,000 and 38,000 in Northeast Asia.