Transport Ministry sees need for pilot, technician school
The Transport Ministry is considering establishing a national pilot and technician school, foreseeing big demand over the next two decades.
Transport Minister Prajin Juntong said the aviation sector in the Asia-Pacific region would need 220,000 pilots and co-pilots within the next 20 years. More than 240,000 technicians for aircraft maintenance would also be needed.
Prajin said Thailand was expected to face a shortage of pilots and technicians as the aviation industry would continue to grow long-term. The main reason is the rapid growth of low-cost airlines both in Thailand and abroad.
“To deal with the problem, we should establish an educational institute specifically to produce pilots and technicians for our industry,” he said.
Prajin added that Thailand had high potential to become one of the major aviation hubs linking East and West as well as in Southeast Asia.
Earlier, Bangkok Aviation Center said it had produced 815 pilots and was currently training 180 more. Most BAC-trained pilots went to work with Thai AirAsia, Thai Airways International, and Thai Smile Airways.
Boeing has estimated that by 2033, the Asia-Pacific region will need 216,000 new pilots but can produce just 5,000 pilots per year.
Currently, Thailand has 13 public and private pilot-training schools. They produce 2,000 pilots and 700-800 technicians per year, which is not enough to keep up with demand.
