Boeing’s 2014 commercial pilot and mechanic demand forecast, released today, reflects a 7-percent increase in pilot demand over last year’s projections and a 5-percent increase in the outlook for mechanics. In all, the world’s aviation system will require 533,000 new commercial airlines pilots and 584,000 new commercial airline mechanics over the next 20 years, according to Boeing.

“The challenge of meeting the global demand for airline professionals cannot be solved by one company or in one region of the world,” said Boeing Flight Services vice president Sherry Carbary. “This is a global issue that can be solved only by all of the parties involved—airlines, aircraft and training equipment manufacturers, training delivery organizations, regulatory agencies and educational institutions around the world.”

According to this year’s outlook, pilot demand in the Asia Pacific region now comprises 41 percent of the world’s need, and the Middle East region saw significant growth since last year’s outlook due to increased airline capacity and orders for widebody models. Overall, global demand driven by steadily increasing airplane deliveries, particularly widebody airplanes, suggests a global requirement for about 27,000 new pilots and 29,000 new technicians annually.

Projected demand for new pilots and maintenance technicians by region breaks down as follows: Asia Pacific–216,000 pilots and 224,000 technicians; Europe–94,000 pilots and 102,000 technicians; North America–88,000 pilots and 109,000 technicians; Latin America–45,000 pilots and 44,000 technicians; Middle East–55,000 pilots and 62,000 technicians; Africa–17,000 pilots and 19,000 technicians and Russia and CIS–18,000 pilots and 24,000 technicians.