China will need 72,700 new commercial airline pilots and 108,300 technicians by 2030, accounting for about 16 percent of global demand, Boeing said in its 2011 Pilot and Technician Outlook.
Boeing projects global airlines will need an average of 23,000 new commercial jet pilots and 32,500 new technicians per year as the global fleet size is expected to grow to nearly 40,000 airplanes over the next 20 years. New personnel will also be needed to replace those who retire.
By 2030, the aviation industry will require 460,000 new commercial airline pilots along with 650,000 air maintenance technicians, according to the outlook.
The largest demand for pilots and technicians will be in Asia Pacific with an expected need for 182,300 pilots and 247,400 technicians. China alone will need 72,700 pilots and 108,300 technicians.
North America will need 82,800 pilots and 134,800 technicians while Europe will require 92,500 pilots and 129,600 technicians, according to the outlook.
Boeing called upon the aviation industry to invest, evolve and adapt to meet the expected exponential growth in demand for qualified aviation personnel.
"To meet the demand for capable, well-trained people, Boeing and the aviation industry need to move with the speed of technology to provide the tools, training and work environment that tech-savvy pilots and technicians will expect from us," said Sherry Carbary, vice president of Boeing Flight Services.
Pilot shortages have hindered development of China's airlines.
Analysts said earlier that China will require 18,000 new pilots by 2015, while training schools in the country can supply about 2,000 pilots annually.
