Asian demand lifts UK pilots' salaries

World's fastest growing airlines passenger markets in India, China and the Middle East has come as a bonanza for British pilots and flight engineers as they are much in demand and pushed up their salaries by about a fifth, new research indicated on Monday.

Demand for British pilots is taking off because they "are highly regarded in the global airline industry," said Andrew Middleton, a director of aerospace staffing company Wynnwith.

Recruitment of experienced UK pilots has soared because India, China and the Middle East are the world's fastest growing passenger markets.

Airbus, the plane maker, has estimated that Chinese Airlines may need 1,790 new aircraft in the next 18 years, while India's air travel market is growing at 25 per cent annually.

Huge, multi-billion dollar orders for new Boeing and Airbus planes have recently been placed by carriers such as Indian Airlines, Emirates, Etihad and Air China. Andrew Middleton said, "these regions have stepped up their pilot training programmes but the expansion of their airlines is outstripping the rate at which aircrews with the necessary experience can be produced."

A survey by Wynnwith of 850 advertised vacancies for UK flight crews found that 32 per cent were for jobs in Asia and 20 per cent in the Middle East. Only 25 per cent were for UK airlines.

Middleton said that "foreign airlines are becoming competitive in terms of what they are prepared to offer."

He said "British airlines are having to compete on pay with rivals. For budget airlines, the challenge will be getting the staff while retaining their low-cost business model."

According to Wynnwith, "hourly rates for 737 captains in the UK have risen 20 per cent over the last eight months."

Research showed that 23 per cent of advertised vacancies for aircraft maintenance engineers are for jobs in the Middle East and Asia.

The figures are expected to increase sharply as the relatively new fleets being operated age and their maintenance requirements increase.