Pilot Training Demand Surges as Saudi Aviation Expands

Saudi Arabia's aviation sector is entering a new phase of expansion as airlines grow their fleets and strengthen regional connectivity. Much of this development is driven by narrowbody aircraft orders, increasing demand for qualified pilots across the region.

According to the Boeing Pilot and Technician Outlook, the Middle East will require more than 58,000 new pilots over the next two decades. A significant share of this demand is expected to come from Saudi Arabia as the country accelerates its aviation development.

Global pilot demand is also rising elsewhere. CAE's Aviation Talent Forecast indicates that North America may require more than 130,000 pilots by 2032, while the Asia-Pacific region could need more than 250,000.

Based on Boeing's projection and typical flight training requirements of around 200 hours per pilot, training more than 58,000 new pilots in the Middle East would require approximately 11.6 million flight training hours. Pilot preparation would also require around 1.1 million training hours on full flight simulators, with each simulator typically providing around 5,000–6,000 training hours per year.

"Saudi Arabia's aviation sector is expanding rapidly, and with new aircraft entering fleets every year, the need for qualified pilots is growing just as quickly," said Martynas Mazeika, Chief Growth Officer at BAA Training. "To keep pace with this growth, airlines need scalable training solutions. Partnering with global training providers enables airlines to access the necessary simulator capacity, training expertise, and flexible programs required to support long-term operational expansion."

"The Middle East is not the only region expanding fleets at scale," Mazeika added. "Airlines in North America, India, and Southeast Asia are also increasing aircraft orders, which means demand for pilot training is rising everywhere. Access to global training infrastructure is becoming an important factor in how airlines manage fleet growth."

As Saudi airlines continue expanding their fleets, scalable training capacity and international partnerships will play a critical role in ensuring pilot supply keeps pace with demand.