Boeing has predicted that the Asia Pacific region will account for 33% of the global requirement for new commercial sector pilots over the next two decades.

Boeing’s 2018 Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook predicts that there will be a demand for 240,000 pilots, 128,500 of whom China will require, while South East Asia and South Asia will require 48,500 and 42,750 respectively.

According to the outlook, demand will increase due to regional trends that suggest a surge in pilot retirements in the first ten years of the forecast and a relaxation of replacement demand in the later years.

Boeing Global Services Training and Professional Services vice-president Keith Cooper said: “Strong demand for pilots in the region continues, and we expect that this will continue for the next several years.

“Through our pilot training solutions, including the Pilot Development Programme, we are helping to ensure a pipeline of pilots is ready to meet the industry’s demand.”

“We are helping to ensure a pipeline of pilots is ready to meet the industry’s demand.”

In addition, the outlook predicted that the Asia Pacific region will require 242,000 commercial aviation technicians in the next 20 years, representing 34% of the global demand for such technicians.

Approximately 126,750 of the total requirement will come from China, while 54,000 and 35,000 will come from South East Asia and South Asia, respectively.

This projected increase in demand is thought to be fuelled by progress in product development on Boeing’s 737 MAX aircraft programme, which has facilitated growth in maintenance efficiencies.

In its latest outlook, Boeing has also forecast that the Asia Pacific region will see a demand for 317,000 cabin crew, which represents 36% of the global demand.

Out of the projected demand, 147,250 cabin crew members will be required by China, while 76,250 and 43,250 crew will be required by South East Asia and South Asia, respectively.

The demand for cabin crew is driven by expected fleet mix, cabin configuration and regulatory requirements.

The 2018 Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook covered the helicopter and business aviation markets for the first time.