Worldwide demand for pilots is expected to reach an unprecedented high over the next 20 years, Boeing predicted in its annual Pilot & Technician Outlook, which says the need will be driven by the anticipated doubling of the commercial airplane fleet, record-high demand for air travel and a tighter labor supply.
Overall, 790,000 new pilots will be needed over the next 20 years — about double the current workforce, according to the report, released earlier this week. The report characterized the demand as the most significant in the nine-year history of the Outlook.
“Despite strong global air traffic growth, the aviation industry continues to face a pilot labor supply challenge, raising concern about the existence of a global pilot shortage in the near term,” said Keith Cooper, vice president of training and professional services for Boeing Global Servic…
