SOUTH-EAST Asia will be among the fastest-growing regions for aviation personnel amid projected global demand for nearly 2.4 million new pilots, technicians and cabin crew over the next two decades, based on a study by planemaker Boeing.
Some 234,000 aviation personnel will be needed to join the region’s commercial aviation industry: 60,000 pilots, 77,000 technicians and 97,000 flight attendants, said Boeing on Monday (Jul 22).
South-east Asia aside, South Asia and Africa are the other two regions projected to be the fastest-growing, with staffing demand of the three regions expected to more than triple over 20 years to 2043.
The projection came as the global commercial airplane fleet is forecast to increase by 3.2 per cent annually to 50,170 planes by 2043, and traffic to rise by 4.7 per cent yearly.
To support these increases, the commercial aviation industry will need to add 3.5 per cent to its headcount yearly or nearly 2.4 million new professionals by 2043 – comprising 674,000 pilots, 716,000 technicians and 980,000 flight attendants.
Two-thirds of new personnel will address replacement due to attrition, while one-third supports the rise in the commercial fleet.
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Demand for new personnel is expected to be driven primarily by single-aisle aeroplanes, except in Africa and the Middle East, where demand for widebody planes leads.
Eurasia, China and North America will drive demand for more than half of new industry personnel, with Eurasia requiring 562,000 additions, and China and North America each needing 430,000 new joiners.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) – which is recruiting cabin crew in Singapore, Malaysia and Japan – told The Business Times last week that its recruitment is on track and will continue into March 2025. It did not disclose the number of flight attendants it is hiring.
“This is in line with our operational manpower needs, as well as our fleet and network expansion plans. Our recruitment needs are based on our operational requirements, which include the fulfilment of growth plans, as well as to replace crew who leave the company for a variety of reasons, including retirement,” said an SIA spokesperson.
The national carrier is also hiring captains, and first and second officers for pilot positions.
