Boeing successfully hosted the inaugural Pilot Roundtable in India, a two-day event that drew active participation from the pilot community across India and the South Asian region, featuring delegates from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Representing a unique gathering of diverse airline pilots within the region, the event served as an unparalleled platform fostering discussions between India's pilot community and Boeing's expert panel. It facilitated the exchange of industry-leading best practices in commercial aviation, focusing on safety, efficiency, and innovation.

"The Pilot Roundtable underscores Boeing's commitment to supporting the expansion of the civil aviation sector, meeting the demand for pilots and technicians, and fostering self-reliance in the Indian aerospace and defence ecosystem," said Ryan Weir, vice president, Commercial Sales and Marketing for India, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

The inaugural in-person India Pilot Roundtable follows two successful virtual editions in 2021 and 2022, signifying a significant shift towards more direct and impactful engagements. The sessions focused on achieving efficient flight operations through the implementation of Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) / Evidence-Based Training (EBT), optimizing fuel burn during flight operations, and exploring the potential of Required Navigation Performance Authorization Required (RNP AR) technology to alleviate airspace congestion. These discussions provide a crucial advantage for India's rapidly growing aviation sector.

"A safe aerospace system ensures that commercial aviation can make good on its promise of improving people's lives and supporting economic growth," said Captain Karsten Liljegren, director of Global Operations Support at Boeing. "We are pleased to support the policymakers and leaders in the Indian and South Asian region as they continue investing in efforts to strengthen aerospace safety and efficiency."

India's commercial aviation market is expected to become the third largest in the world by 2041, and is projected to receive over 90 per cent of South Asia's airplane deliveries, requiring over 2,400 new aircraft, while its cargo market is set to expand significantly, with the fleet growing from 15 to 80 airplanes by 2042, driving a $135 billion demand for commercial services. Boeing's 2023 Pilot and Technician Outlook forecasts demand in South Asia for 37,000 pilots and 38,000 maintenance technicians over the next 20 to meet industry needs, driven primarily from growing demand in India. Boeing recently announced a $100 million investment in infrastructure and programs to train pilots in India, which will support India's need for new pilots over the next 20 years.