China needs 98,000 new pilots in next 20 years

BEIJING - China will need 98,000 more pilots and 101,000 maintenance technicians in the next 20 years, according to latest estimates of Boeing.

For the whole Asia Pacific region, the demand for pilots and technicians over the same period is forecast to be 216,000 and 224,000, respectively, according the 2014 Boeing Pilot and Technician Outlook.

From now to 2033, the Asia Pacific region will account for 39 percent of the world's total demand for new commercial airline technicians, more than Europe and North America combined, it said.

"The Asia Pacific region is seeing tremendous economic growth and is set to become the largest air travel market in the world," said Bob Bellitto, director of Customer Group, Boeing Flight Services.

A booming market means more jobs and career opportunities for those interested in becoming commercial airline pilots and maintenance technicians over the next two decades, Bellitto added.

The Asia Pacific region also leads the world's demand for new commercial airplane deliveries over the next 20 years, with 13,460 new aircraft needed by 2033, according to Boeing.