If you wonder whether a career as an airline pilot would be a secure one, with jobs available, just look at the plans of major airlines for the answer. The future orders for aircraft are at an all-time high. This was again apparent at the recent Dubai Airshow. Airlines would not be buying aircraft in record numbers, if they didn't feel strongly that the commercial aviation industry would be continuing its strong growth for a long time.
Here's what happened at Dubai: Combined, the two major airframe manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus, won contracts worth nearly $70 billion USD at that show. Airbus took the lead with 297 orders and commitments, and Boeing won 155 new aircraft orders. Both companies are on track for record sales in 2007: they should even exceed the combined record of 2,057 orders placed two years ago in 2005.
Who were the big purchasers at Dubai? Airbus and Boeing each won a 100 aircraft order from DAE Capital, which is part of Dubai Aerospace Enterprice (DAE). The company signed purchase letters of intent for 70 Airbus A320s and 30 A350s, plus 70 Boeing 737s, 10 jumbo 777-300s and five 747-8s.
Qatar Airways orders 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 32 777-300ERs, which totalled over $6 billion USD.
Airbus won Emirates' huge order for 81 jets -- 11 A380s plus 70 A350s, in a purchase worth in excess of $34 billion USD.
So what do you think? Do these large, successful airlines are confident there is a growing future in commercial aviation? If you want to be part of that, check out Phoenix East Aviation at www.pea.com about training to be a commercial airline pilot.