The Indonesia National Air Carriers Association has declared that Indonesia needs to accelerate its push to groom more pilots to cope with the expansion of the country's airlines.
The Association forecast the number of fleets will grow by 8% annually from 707 aircraft at the end of 2011 as demand picks up against the backdrop of relatively robust economic growth. Indonesia's economy expanded 6.5% last year and the government forecasts growth to be above 6% this year.
All carriers in the country have recently purchased new aircraft. PT Garuda Indonesia has an outstanding order for six CRJ1000 jets with options on 18 more, while it also intends to lease another 12 CRJ1000 jets. The airline may also purchase 50 ATR or Bombardier turboprops to serve Indonesia's remote areas.
Meanwhile, Lion Air has 27 ATR turboprops and 230 Boeing 737s on order. All this points to a greater demand for pilots; with Boeing forecasting that the Southeast Asian region will need 42,000 new pilots and 48,000 technicians over the next 20 years.
Shortage of pilots in Indonesia
