CAE, a high technology company which revolutionizes training and operational support solutions in civil aviation, published an update to its pilot demand outlook.
Its Airline and Business Jet Pilot Demand Outlook is a 10 year view of civil aviation pilot needs from a global perspective.
Recognizing the impact on pilot careers, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CAE projects the active pilot population to return to 2019 levels by 2021. Further, they’re estimating an additional pilot need of 264,000 by the year 2029. Here are some of its key findings:
- Of the 264k new pilots over the next decade, commercial aviation represents 219,000, while the balance of 45,000 will be for business jet aviation.
- 27,000 new pilots will be needed in 2021, alone.
- A key driver is the production of 11,000 new business and commercial aircraft in the next ten years.
- The other primary driver is pilot retirement and attrition. Pilots over the age of 50 represent 38% of the total civil aviation pilot pool.
- An estimated 3.8% of commercial pilots are expected to retire or leave the profession every year, creating a decade need of 126,000 additional new pilots.
- On top of that, roughly 4% of business aviation pilots are expected to join commercial airlines each year. Plus, an additional 3.6% will age out or leave each year, creating a need for 41,000 new business aviation pilots.
According to the CAE outlook, the future demand for new pilots is incredibly high. The report also forecasts a 75% rebound in commercial aviation in 2021, as well as a 35% rebound in business aviation in the same time frame.
Special thanks to the CAE for producing its 10-Year Outlook. Click here to view the report.