As passenger traffic soars in the Asian-Pacific region and airlines add even more routes, the International Civil Aviation Organization has warned that the region has the capacity to train only 35% of its annual pilot requirements. The growth in demand from China alone will create a dearth of trained pilots in the region. As a result China Southern Airlines has announced it will start a fast-track pilot training program that will take only two-and-a-half years, instead of the usual four.
Equally the Indian market is already straining to find enough pilots to meet demand. Safety experts have warned the shortage could pose increased risk if pilots are forced to fly more routes and less experienced pilots are rushed through training schools.
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