Boeing projects that airlines in the Middle East will need nearly 100,000 new pilots and technicians to support the expanding demand for new airplane deliveries over the next two decades.

The Air France-KLM group (AF-KL) has pledged to remain in the maindeck cargo business, despite further reductions in its freighter complement. In a media briefing at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, Erik Varwijk, executive vice president of Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo, said that over the next two years, the group will shed four of its current 14 freighters.

Prolonged weakness continued in June for the Asia Pacific air cargo markets, according to preliminary traffic figures from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines.

Boeing projects the world aircraft fleet will double over the next 20 years, according to the company's annual Current Market Outlook.