Abu Dhabi: More than 8,000 commercial pilots will be needed over the next 20 years to satisfy demand from expanding Middle East carriers, aerospace experts say.
Massive fleet development among the region's commercial carriers, including Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways, is spurring demand for manpower, according to the Al Ain-based Horizon International Flight Academy (Horizon).
Aerospace experts are predicting that the world's aviation fleet will double to more than 35,000 aircraft by 2025.
"The only thing that can be done to meet the shortfall is to train more people for careers as pilots," said Mohammed Humaidan Al Zaabi, General Manager of Horizon.
Al Zaabi added that more Emirati men and women are showing interest in taking up a profession in aviation. "The career potential for locals is huge," he said.
Al Zaabi said they are offering alternative "cost effective training courses" for aspiring pilots.
"With much of the new demand for pilots originating in the Middle East, it makes sense to train them here," he said.
