Page 241 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - SEPT 2025

News from the aviation world In the PTO, Boeing projects through
2044:
• Two-thirds of new personnel will
need to be replaced due to attri-
tion, while one-third will support
growth in the commercial fleet.
• Demand for new personnel will
be driven primarily by single-aisle
aeroplanes.
• As in past years, Eurasia, China,
and North America will continue
to drive demand for more than
half of the new industry person-
nel.
• South Asia and Southeast Asia are
the fastest-growing regions for
personnel, with staffing demand
expected to more than triple.

Aviation sector issues urgent
call to accelerate policy action
on SAF
A coalition of European aviation stake-
holders, including DESTINATION 2050
partners, fuel suppliers (FuelsEurope,
Hydrogen Europe, Project SkyPower),
and cargo/express carriers (European
Cargo Alliance, European Express Asso-
ciation), led by ERA, issued an urgent
call for accelerated support to unlock the
decarbonisation potential of Sustainable
A321neo. At the same time, a new level of also consider the launch of additional new Aviation Fuels (SAF).
comfort and services is introduced, with routes to destinations such as Bangalore, The joint call highlights the pressing
a customised configuration of only 138 Seychelles, Maldives, Nairobi, Almaty, challenges of affordable SAF deploy-
seats in total, of which 24 are Business and Lagos. ment across Europe. The SAF market in
Class Suites equipped with fully lie-flat Europe is still in its infancy. Currently,
beds, increased privacy, and full aisle Boeing: Airlines will need 2.4 only HEFA-based fuels are commercially
access. million new pilots, techs, and available, and there’s a large cost differ-
The two A321neo XLR aircraft, expected crew by 2044 ential compared to conventional fossil
to be delivered in December 2025 and Fuelled by emerging markets and kerosene. Next-gen SAFs (like e-SAF
January 2026, significantly increase the changes in fleet mix, Boeing projects and advanced biofuels) are struggling
fleet size and capabilities of AEGEAN’s continued demand for aviation personnel to secure investment and reach final
“special purpose” sub-fleet, considering as the global commercial fleet changes investment decisions (FID).
the existing order of four A321neo LRs, to meet the demands of the flying pub- A 10-point action plan has been handed
previously announced in April 2024 (and lic. Boeing’s 2025 “Pilot and Technician to the EU Commissioner for Sustaina-
scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028). Outlook (PTO)” report anticipates the ble Transport and Tourism, Apostolos
Following the delivery of the new A321neo industry will require nearly 2.4 million new Tzitzikostas. The goal is to provide reg-
XLR aircraft, AEGEAN plans to com- aviation professionals through 2044 to ulatory certainty, de-risk investments,
mence five weekly flights to New Delhi meet the long-term increase in air travel. bridge cost gaps, guarantee price trans-
in March 2026, and soon thereafter, three Boeing, which released its annual 20-year parency, monitor markets, and foster
weekly flights to Mumbai in May 2026 forecast at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh innovation.
– the second destination of the compa- convention, stated that commercial This initiative arrives just as the Euro-
ny’s network in India. The exact flight carriers will need substantial hiring and pean Commission prepares to unveil its
schedule will be announced at the end of training to sustain the global commercial Sustainable Transport Investment Plan
September, when ticket sales start. With fleet, including 660,000 pilots, 710,000 in the third quarter of 2025, which stake-
the future deliveries of the A321neo LR maintenance technicians, and 1,000,000 holders hope will include robust support
aircraft in 2027 and 2028, AEGEAN will cabin crew members. for SAF production and infrastructure.

September 2025 239