Open horizon for China's pilots

China will lead Asia-Pacific demand for new commercial airline pilots and maintenance technicians to support the country's fast-growing fleet over the next two decades.

Pilots in a Boeing 787 simulator in Singapore. Chinese airlines can also train new pilots for 787 aircraft in Shanghai, because the same simulator has been operating in Shanghai since June 2012. Provided to China Daily

The nation will need 77,400 new pilots and 93,900 technicians through 2032, Boeing said in its latest pilot and technician outlook, which was released on Monday.

"There is a very real, urgent demand for competent aviation personnel globally, and the Asia-Pacific region is particularly impacted," said Bob Bellitto, global sales director, Boeing Flight Services. Chinese carriers' fast-expanding capacity will drive this demand.

China will take delivery of 5,580 aircraft, and its fleet will triple to 6,450 planes over the next 20 years, according to the United States-based aircraft manufacturer.

But providing staff for the Chinese civil aviation industry will be a challenge, experts said.

As of Dec 31, there were 31,381 licensed pilots, up 3,574 from a year earlier, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

The number of pilots in China keeps growing but can't keep up with demand, said Zou Jianjun, a professor at the Civil Aviation Management Institute of China.

"Chinese civil aviation had a shortage of more than 10,000 pilots in 2012 and the number has increased this year," Zou said. "Captains, especially those flying wide-body aircraft, are the ones in demand, not ordinary pilots," he added.