A growing shortage of pilots, aircraft engineers and other skilled aviation personnel is now threatening to disrupt operations and slow down the sector’s expansion across the region.

Speaking during the 7th East African Community aviation symposium in Mombasa, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) acting Director General Nicholas Bodo warned that the industry is facing a serious human resource crisis.

Bodo said the high cost of aviation training has locked out many young people who dream of becoming pilots and engineers, creating a dangerous skills gap in the sector.

“If we do not invest in training today, the industry risks facing major operational challenges in the near future,” said Bodo.

He revealed that aviation players across the East African region are now pushing for the creation of a special training fund to help develop pilots, engineers and other aviation experts needed to keep the industry running.

Also speaking at the symposium, The Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA) acting Director General Francis Lichuma said the aviation industry cannot afford to ignore the growing shortage of technical experts.

Lichuma warned that air transport demand continues to rise rapidly across East Africa, yet the region is not producing enough qualified personnel to match the growth.

He called for stronger partnerships between governments, training institutions and industry players to secure the future of aviation in the region.

The warning now places pressure on East African states to act fast before the skills shortage grounds the industry’s ambitions.