Boeing predicts the Asia Pacific region will require over 400,000 new commercial airline pilots and technicians over the next 20 years to support airline fleet modernization and the rapid growth of air travel, according to the company's report released Monday.

The 2011 Boeing Pilot and Technician Outlook called for 182,300 new pilots and 247,400 new technicians in the Asia Pacific region in the next 20 years. The greatest need is in China, which alone will require 72,700 pilots and 108,300 technicians over the period.

"The results of personnel demand outpacing supply are evident today. In Asia particularly, some operators are already experiencing delays and operational interruptions because they don't have enough qualified pilots," said Roei Ganzarski, chief customer officer of Boeing Flight Services.

"To ensure the successful growth of our industry as travel demands grow, it is critical that we start now to create a talent pipeline of capable and well-trained aviation personnel," Ganzarski added.

Boeing Flight Services, a business unit of Boeing commercial aviation services, is aligned with customer's flight operations function and offers integrated products and services to drive optimized performance, efficiency and safety, ranging from advanced training to improved airspace efficiency and infrastructure, airline operations, flight planning, navigation and scheduling.