Boeing said it projects the world will face “an unprecedented demand” for airline pilots and maintenance technicians as global economies expand and airlines begin taking delivery of new aircraft over the next 20 years. Its 2012 Pilot and Technician Outlook forecasts the need for 460,000 new commercial pilots and 601,000 new commercial airline maintenance technicians by 2031.

Kazakhstan’s Air Astana (KC) has selected Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines to power three Boeing 767-300ERs it has on order for delivery at the end of 2013, switching from the GE CF6 engines powering the two leased 767-300ERs it currently has in its fleet.

SkyWest Inc. on Wednesday signed an agreement in principle with Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. for 100 Mitsubishi Regional Jets (MRJ).

Lessor CIT Group has placed a firm order for 10 Airbus A330s, including an unspecified number of the longer range, high gross weight -300 variant.

Two airlines and two leasing companies on Wednesday announced orders for ATR aircraft at the Farnborough Airshow.

China’s Juneyao Airlines (HO) has selected CFM International’s CFM56-5B engine to power its five new Airbus A321 aircraft, in an order valued at more than $100 million based at list prices.

Hong Kong-based lessor China Aircraft Leasing Co. (CALC) has signed a memorandum of understanding for 36 A320 family aircraft in a deal valued at $3.1 billion at list prices.

ATR has confirmed that Irish regional carrier Aer Arann (RE) is planning to order eight ATR 72-600s, which will be delivered from 2013.