According to the Annual Report on the Development of Civil Aviation Pilots in China (2024):
*China has more than 89,000 valid pilot licenses.
*Among them, about 22,000 are captains and 33,000 are first officers working for commercial airlines.
*Yet, there are only just over 4,100 commercial aircraft in the country.
In other words, there is a long queue of pilots behind every aircraft, with far fewer positions than candidates.
Industry insiders note that while China’s civil aviation is recovering, pilot demand has not kept pace. The three pandemic years left a backlog of trainee pilots still waiting to be absorbed. Meanwhile, airlines under financial pressure are cutting labor costs, making recruitment far more cautious.
China’s extensive high-speed rail network also draws travelers away from flights. In some cities, this has reduced air passenger volumes and, indirectly shrinking pilot job opportunities.
At the same time, competition within the industry is intensifying. Career advancement faces bottlenecks, stress levels are high, and the once-glamorous image of this high-paying profession is fading.
Pilot training costs often reach RMB 1–2 million (USD 140,000–280,000). Combined with living expenses, the entry barrier has grown even higher.
On top of this, airlines impose stringent hiring requirements on English proficiency, flight qualifications, and physical fitness.
When the industry cycle turns downward, the gap between graduation and employment widens.
The oversupply of pilots in China reflects a structural contradiction:
* Training is long and costly, while demand fluctuates with economic and policy changes.
* In China’s case, training capacity has expanded far too quickly, beyond the industry’s ability to absorb graduates.
Against this backdrop, Cathay Pacific is charting a new path.
Recently, the Hong Kong carrier’s first batch of cadet pilots recruited in mainland China have completed flight school and officially joined Cathay as second officers. Some have already passed their line checks and begun operating scheduled flights.
