ICAO projects pilot, maintence and air traffic control shortfalls

ICAO published a study estimating that the number of commercially operated aircraft will increase from 61,833 in 2010 to 151,565 by 2030 and departures will double from about 26 million to 52 million, requiring the number of pilots, maintenance personnel and air traffic controllers double in the same period (ITJ/The Australian, 17-Mar-2011). The number of new aircraft will create more than 2.0 million new jobs for aviation professionals. Pilots numbers will more than double to 980,799, while maintenance workers will rise 580,926 to 1.16 million and air traffic controller numbers will double to 139,796. ICAO projects a shortfall of 160,000 pilots, 360,000 maintenance personnel and 40,000 air traffic controllers, based on existing training facilities.