Airline manufacturer Boeing is forecasting a global pilot shortage as aircraft orders continue to increase.

This report in Arabian Business says that airlines in the Gulf region will need to recruit 36,100 pilots and 53,700 technicians over the next 20 years.

“In many regions of the world, our customers are facing challenges in recruiting personnel due to pilot and technician shortages,” said Sherry Carbary, vice president, Boeing Flight Services.

While it is of course in an aircraft manufacturer’s interest to put out good PR about the aviation industry, there’s no doubt that airlines in the Middle East are expanding rapidly, and need an increasing number of personnel to support their plans.

Along with fellow Gulf heavyweights Emirates and Etihad, Qatar Airways has a constant need for more pilots and engineers to support growth. It has aircraft orders worth over US$50 billion for more than 250 aircraft.

The article says that aviation colleges in the Gulf train less than 1,000 new pilots a year, causing airlines to look internationally for suitably qualified pilots. 

A recent boycott call on Twitter from Qatari nationals pointed at alleged under-recruitment of Qatari pilots and engineers at Qatar Airways as one of the reasons for the campaign.

Are you a pilot in Qatar? Do you agree with Boeing’s calculations?

Credit: Photo by Fly for Fun