Boeing Concludes Inaugural Pilot Roundtable for India and South Asia
New Delhi, December 11, 2023 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] successfully hosted the inaugural Pilot Roundtable in India, a two-day event that saw active participation from the pilot community across India and the South Asian region, with representatives from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. This unique gathering brought together diverse airline pilots, providing an exceptional platform for discussions between India’s pilot community and Boeing’s expert panel. The event focused on exchanging industry-leading best practices in commercial aviation, emphasizing safety, efficiency, and innovation.
“Boeing’s commitment to bolstering the civil aviation sector, meeting the demand for pilots and technicians, and promoting self-reliance in India’s aerospace and defence ecosystem is highlighted through the Pilot Roundtable,” stated Ryan Weir, vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing for India at Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
The inaugural India Pilot Roundtable, conducted in person, followed two successful virtual editions in 2021 and 2022, marking a significant shift towards more impactful engagements. Sessions centred on achieving efficient flight operations through the implementation of Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) / Evidence-Based Training (EBT), optimizing fuel consumption during flight operations, and exploring the potential of Required Navigation Performance Authorization Required (RNP AR) technology to alleviate airspace congestion. These discussions are pivotal for the rapidly expanding aviation sector in India.
“A robust aerospace system is pivotal for ensuring that commercial aviation fulfils its promise of enhancing lives and supporting economic growth,” remarked Captain Karsten Liljegren, director of Global Operations Support at Boeing. “We are pleased to provide support to policymakers and leaders in India and the South Asian region as they continue investing in efforts to fortify aerospace safety and efficiency.”
India’s commercial aviation market is forecasted to become the third largest globally by 2041, with over 90% of South Asia’s airplane deliveries projected for the region. This surge will necessitate more than 2,400 new aircraft, while the cargo market is anticipated to witness significant expansion, increasing the fleet from 15 to 80 airplanes by 2042, leading to a $135 billion demand for commercial services. Boeing’s 2023 Pilot and Technician Outlook predicts a demand for 37,000 pilots and 38,000 maintenance technicians in South Asia over the next 20 years to meet industry requirements, primarily driven by growing demand in India. Boeing’s recent announcement of a $100 million investment in infrastructure and training programs to groom pilots in India reaffirms its commitment to support India’s demand for new pilots over the next two decades.