India Will Require 31,000 Pilots Over the Next 20 years: Boeing Estimates

Boeing estimates that India will require 31,000 pilots over the next 20 years.

According to US aircraft manufacturer Boeing, who was speaking on the sidelines of a CII event, India may need to hire 31,000 pilots and roughly 26,000 mechanics over the next 20 years due to the increasing order books of aircraft original equipment manufacturers.

Salil Gupte, president of Boeing, reportedly said that over the ensuing years, the South Asian region is expected to continue to be the fastest-growing market globally.

He asserts that the government’s bold choice to privatise Air India and help the Tata Group to take over the airlines will completely change the Indian aerospace industry. According to the author, this is almost as vital to development as aircraft orders.

The speaker said, “Givena’s growing aviation traffic, much emphasis needs to be paid to constructing robust infrastructure, including infrastructures, such as airports, critical infrastructure and other experts.

According to PTI, the Tata Group-owned airline Air India said last month that it placed orders for 470 aircraft with Boeing and Airbus, an influential European carrier.

Boeing predicted air traffic growth to be 7% through 2040. Boeing did not expect any effects of the financial crisis on the expansion of air travel, noting that the rise in demand for air travel following the outbreak had the entire world in amazement.

What would happen due to the bank situation in the US, Europe, and other countries is still too early to determine. In reality, there is now no slowing in demand for aircraft. Gupte concurred. He claimed that India represents a substantial market for Boeing’s narrow-body airliner.

As up to 90% of the market over the next 20 years will be a narrow body market, “we think we will be successful in competing for those in every single campaign (aircraft order).” Gupte concurred.

Boeing, he continued, is the industry leader globally in the wide-body (two-aisle) aircraft class and will stay so in all markets, including India.

He projected that India would become more than just an aviation centre as its economy grows due to its size and scope. “India is the entry, like China, and it will be more than a hub as it rises to be (among) the top four economies in the world.”

The aviation industry has experienced tremendous growth over the last ten years, and future years are expected to witness more of the same development. Due to the development of new airlines, new routes, and expanding existing fleets, India’s requirement for pilots is expected to increase significantly.

According to the Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook 2021–2040, it would need over 31,000 more pilots by 2040 to meet the country’s rising demand. The main factors driving this demand are economic growth, an escalating middle-class population, and increased business and leisure air travel.

By 2027, India’s population is expected to surpass China’s, and by 2024, it is anticipated to hold the third-largest aviation market in the world. The demand for air travel will increase. As a result, it necessitates the hiring of more pilots.

The government has made substantial efforts to develop the aviation industry. One example is the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) programme, which seeks to make air travel convenient and affordable for residents of distant districts. The expansion of regional airports due to this industry has increased pilot employment opportunities.

As a result, the demand for pilots is expected to continue to be high. As a result, airlines would need to invest in pilot development and training programmes to ensure a steady supply of qualified pilots to meet the growing demand.

It is important to remember that the COVID-19 epidemic greatly impacted the aviation industry, causing a decline in demand for air travel and forcing several airlines to curtail or end operations ultimately. Nevertheless, the industry is slowly recovering, and the pilot market is projected to increase as vaccination rates improve and travel restrictions lessen.

It is also not an exception to the severe global shortage of pilots. There need to be more new pilots to fill the vacancies left by the ageing of many hardened pilots. It significantly needs more pilots, with fewer per person than in many other countries.

To address this issue, airlines collaborate with flight schools, support pilot training programmes, and offer attractive incentives to attract and retain pilots. The government has also expanded the number of pilots in the country by building additional training facilities and decreasing regulatory standards for pilot training.

Another factor projected to increase demand for pilots, is the growth of cargo operations. Demand for air cargo services has increased as a result of the epidemic due to the significant growth in e-commerce.

As e-commerce, logistics, and transportation networks expand, and the need for cargo flights rises, there will likely be a greater need for cargo pilots.

The proliferation of low-cost carriers has also contributed to the growth of the aviation industry, and this trend is anticipated to continue. Since low-cost carriers occasionally operate with reduced crew levels, each pilot must fly more monthly hours. Due to the increased workload, more pilots are needed to ensure that airlines can operate efficiently and safely.

The demand for pilots with a variety of skill sets, particularly those who are familiar with both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft, is highlighted in the Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook report. Indian airlines will require pilots with diverse levels of experience and expertise to fly their variety of aircraft.

Last but not least, it’s critical to remember how competitive India’s aviation industry is, with multiple carriers vying for passengers. If airlines are to remain in business, they must continue showing pilots competitive salaries, benefits, and chances for career advancement. This talent contest might impact the nation’s growing need for pilots.

In conclusion, the expansion of the aviation sector, the growth of the middle class, and the growing popularity of air travel are all expected to cause a substantial increase in the need for pilots during the coming years. Airlines and the government must invest in pilot training and development programmes to ensure a steady supply of qualified pilots.

Edited by Prakriti Arora