SHANGHAI, 19 June 2012. Boeing (NYSE:BA) officials have expanded the company’s Flight Services business in China, increasing the training capacity for airlines in the region. Boeing introduced an advanced 787 Dreamliner training suite for pilot and maintenance training, as well as installed a 747-400 full-flight simulator, effectively tripling its offerings at the Boeing Flight Services Shanghai training campus.
The largest demand for global pilots and maintenance technicians will be in the Asia Pacific region, according to the Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook. China is expected to need 72,000 new commercial airline pilots and more than 108,000 maintenance technicians over the next 20 years.
"China is one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic aviation markets in the world, and Boeing is committed to giving the Chinese airlines the competitive advantage they need to succeed as they grow," explains Sherry Carbary, vice president, Boeing Flight Services. "Providing new, world-class resources and training focused on the region's 787 and 747 fleets is one way we can bring the Boeing Edge to China."
"As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Boeing in China, this is another important step forward in our long-term commitment to serving China's development of the air transport system," says Marc Allen, president of Boeing China. "There is a real need for more pilots in the region, and the expansion of the Boeing training campus in Shanghai is geared to help meet that need."
Crews from Yangtze River Express, Air China, and China Cargo have completed 747-400 training, whereas several crews from Hainan Airlines have completed 787 pilot training.
"With the expanded capability at the Boeing Flight Services Shanghai training campus, we will be able to quickly and efficiently provide our services to our customers in China and the Asia-Pacific region," says Ihssane Mounir, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Greater China and Korea, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
