Number of pilots rises, but more are needed

Commercial airlines no longer struggling as demand in other sectors grows, experts say

China has seen a rapid increase in the number of commercial pilots, but the shortage of aviators in the general aviation sector still exists, industry insiders said.

By the end of 2014, there were 39,881 people on the Chinese mainland who have a valid license to fly civilian aircraft, 12.3 percent more than the previous year, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said in a report released on Sunday.