Boeing has released its 2016 Pilot and Technician Outlook, projecting demand for nearly 1.5 million pilots and technicians over the next 20 years. According to the forecast, between 2016 and 2035, the world's commercial aviation industry will require approximately:

• 617,000 new commercial airline pilots,
• 679,000 new commercial airline maintenance technicians,
• 814,000 new cabin crew.

The 2016 outlook shows a growth of 10.5% for pilots, compared with the 2015 outlook and 11.3% for maintenance technicians. New pilot demand is primarily driven by new airplane deliveries and fleet mix, while new technician demand is primarily driven by fleet growth.

The outlook represents a global requirement for about 31,000 new pilots, 35,000 new technicians and 40,000 cabin crew annually. The Asia-Pacific region dominates projected demand with a need for 248,000 pilots, 268,000 technicians and 298,000 cabin crew over the next 20 years. The region accounts for 41% of the global need for pilots due to the growth in the single-aisle market which is driven by low-cost carriers. Europe and North America each represent 17% of estimated demand over the period.