Asian countries to look for up to 1,000 captains each in the next five years

Demand for airline pilots in the United States traditionally has been concentrated in the major U.S. airlines, which hire about 60 percent of airline pilot, Kit Darby, president of Aviation Information Resources Inc. said. But some new avenues might be opening.
Asian interest, particularly in India and China, is rising because of tourism and business travel in those areas. Because those countries typically do not have large military training systems in place like in the United States, their demand for American pilots could increase, he said.
“They are awakening to the benefits of commercial air travel,” he said. “There are regions that are looking for 500 or 1,000 captains each in the next five years.”
At the beginning of this month, American Express Business Travel reported a 20 percent increase over last year in sales in Japan, Asia Pacific and Australia.
“It signals the growing maturity of these markets as travel management is being seen and used as a business tool offering a competitive advantage, not just a cost-cutting opportunity,” said Libby Roy, general manager and vice president for American Express Global Business Travel, Japan, Asia Pacific and Australia, in a release.
17/11/06 Zachary Zoeller/Memphis Daily News, USA