red q ? asia one ? or failure ?, page-9

Qantas+Pilot Shortage in Asia=Risk of Failure
Steve Creedy, Aviation writer
QANTAS plans for Asian expansion may be headed for turbulence, with US aerospace giant Boeing warning of a mounting shortage of pilots and technicians in the Asia-Pacific.

Boeing predicted this week that the region would require 182,300 new pilots and 247,400 new technicians in the Asia-Pacific region in the next two decades.
Much of that demand will be in Jetstar's prime target, China, which will need 72,700 pilots and 108,300 technicians.
The Oceania region, which includes Australia, will need 13,600 pilots and 15,600 technicians.
Boeing says there are already indications demand for travel and industry growth in the Asia-Pacific is outstripping the supply of pilots and technicians.
"The signs of a global pilot shortage are mounting as airlines expand their fleets and flight schedules to meet surging demand in emerging markets," it says.
"Asian airlines in particular are experiencing delays and operational interruptions due to pilot scheduling constraints."
Boeing's flight services chief customer officer Roei Ganzarski told the CAPA Centre for Aviation that some airlines had grounded or reduced flights, including grounding new planes, because of the shortage.
Asked whether the shortage was affecting its plans, a Jetstar spokeswoman agreed that its fast regional growth meant it had a strong need for suitably qualified pilots and it was currently recruiting 150 pilots in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan .
"We realise that it is hotly contested for pilots in this region and so we are also investing in the future," she said. "Last year we launched a cadet pilot program with two of the world's leading pilot training providers.
"This partnership represents a major investment by Jetstar in the region's future generation of highly trained airline pilots.
"The program complements our other pilot recruitment activity and will supply a number of our future requirements for pilots."
Mr Ganzarski said the industry needed to make a concentrated effort to get young people excited about careers in aviation. This included the use of mobile and online devices as well as a switch in emphasis from the number of flying hours to aptitude.
"We are competing for talent with alluring hi-tech companies and we need to do a better job showcasing our industry as a global, technological, multi-faceted environment where individuals from all backgrounds and disciplines can make a significant impact," he said.