Boeing reports that the Asia Pacific region will have the greatest global demand for new civil aviation personnel over the next 20 years. The region is projected to account for 33% of the global need for pilots, 34% for technicians and 36% for cabin crew.

The 2018 Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook is an industry forecast of new aviation personnel demand. The forecast's projections are hardly surprising considering that the Asia Pacific region leads demand for new commercial airplane deliveries over the next 20 years. Forty percent of all new passenger airplane deliveries in the next 20 years will be delivered to airlines in the Asia Pacific region.

According to the outlook:

• The 20-year demand for new commercial sector pilots in the region remains strong at 240,000. While demand decreased 5%, this was driven by regional trends that indicate a peak in pilot retirements in the first decade of the forecast and a softening of replacement demand in the later years, due to a younger generation entering the pilot ranks long before reaching mandatory retirement age.

• New commercial technician demand decreased 5%, to 242,000. According to Boeing, this is due to advancements in product development on the 737 MAX, which have resulted in increased maintenance efficiencies.

• New commercial cabin crew demand increased 3%, to 317,000 due to anticipated fleet mix, cabin configuration and regulatory requirements.

For the first time, the outlook included the helicopter and business aviation markets. The inclusion of these sectors increases the region's demand to 261,000 pilots, 257,000 technicians and 321,000 cabin crew.

Projected demand within the region is broken down as follows:

• China: 128,500 pilots; 126,750 technicians; 147,250 cabin crew

• Southeast Asia: 48,500 pilots; 54,000 technicians; 76,250 cabin crew

• South Asia: 42,750 pilots; 35,000 technicians; 43,250 cabin crew