As travel and tourism have surged over the past three years, the aviation industry is facing a significant shortage of pilots. This demand is causing some airlines to potentially compromise on quality to fill positions. Boeing projected last year that within the next 20 years, approximately 650,000 new pilots will be needed globally, with 58,000 of those required in the Middle East. This translates to an annual demand of 32,500 pilots, a stark contrast to the 4,500 pilots entering the industry annually over the past two decades.

Capt. Abhishek Nadkarni, CEO of Sharjah's Pier Seven pilot training academy, highlighted that the demand for pilots is nearly seven times higher than the current supply. He noted that the aviation training industry is not keeping pace with this escalating demand, primarily due to the high cost and complexity of pilot training. Historically, only 20% of trained pilots secured jobs as pilots, while the remaining 80% did not. However, airlines are now recruiting candidates with lower qualifications due to the severe shortage.

Nadkarni suggested that airline companies should offer more support to sponsor young people into aviation schools, as many are hesitant to invest heavily in pilot training without a guaranteed job. Despite this, Pier Seven has seen a significant increase in demand, training 500 pilots over the past three years and planning to expand its training capacity to include 14 flight simulators by 2026. The academy specializes in training pilots who have completed their initial training on specific aircraft.

To address the pilot shortage, the Middle East Aviation Career Zone (MEAC) was introduced at the Air Expo 2024 in Abu Dhabi. The event, which kicked off at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, brought together 50 airlines and 40 training academies, attracting hundreds of students and an expected 20,000 visitors. Didier Mary, CEO and Founder of Air Expo, emphasized the event's role in inspiring youth to explore various aviation roles, from ground operations to piloting.

Mary also noted the rapid recovery of the aviation industry post-Covid, with aircraft numbers now 10% higher than before the pandemic. Emirates, for instance, recovered its Covid losses within six months and expanded its fleet significantly. Etihad Aviation Training (EAT) reported a 250% increase in pilot training demand, training many professionals returning to the industry after the pandemic.

Paolo La Cava, CEO of EAT, highlighted that a career in aviation offers numerous opportunities beyond piloting, including cabin crew and engineering roles. He added that cross-sector collaborations are crucial in meeting the increasing demand and addressing evolving challenges.

Sanad, an Abu Dhabi aerospace engineering provider, offers various aviation jobs and training programs. Omar Al Jefri, a 29-year-old Emirati aerospace engineer, exemplifies the growing interest in aviation careers among young people. He started as an intern with Sanad and was later recruited as a repair capability engineer. Al Jefri emphasized that aviation engineering requires passion and dedication, traits he believes many young people share.

Source link:   https://www.khaleejtimes.com