Africa will need 24 000 new pilots – report

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Africa will need 24 000 new pilots – report

8:56 CAT | 28 Jul 2017

Ventures Africa (File photo)

Over the next 20 years there will be a need for about 24 000 new pilots, 23 000 new technicians and 28 000 new cabin crew in Africa’s aviation industry, according to Boeing’s 2017 Pilot and Technician Outlook.

The global total demand for new pilots and technicians to support the world’s growing commercial airplane fleet is projected to be 1.2 million by 2036.

Boeing forecasts that between 2017 and 2036, the world’s commercial aviation industry will require approximately 637 000 new commercial airline pilots, 648 000 new commercial airline maintenance technicians and 839 000 new cabin crew members.

The 2017 outlook shows a slight increase of 3.2% for pilots over the 2016 outlook and a slight decrease in the need for airline maintenance technicians (4.6%), primarily driven by the reduction in maintenance hours required on the 737 MAX.

Although in general African airlines remain in the red, the state of their financial affairs has at least not deteriorated when compared to the performance in 2016, according to the International Air Transport Association (Iata).

African airlines are expected to post a $100m loss in 2017, according to an Iata estimate. The expected loss for African airlines is in line with the $0.1bn total loss they saw in 2016.

At the same time passenger demand in Africa’s aviation industry is expected to grow by 7.5%. This is slightly behind the expected capacity growth of 7.9%.

Approximate projected demand for the next 20 years: