Air Macao, the flagship airline in the special administrative region, has employed 18 Brazilian pilots, according to a press release issued by the company here Thursday.

The release said all the pilots are aged around 35 and boast flying time of from 5,000 to 8,000 and captain's resume.

The Brazilian pilots are to start service with Air Macao from October, it said.

Many air companies all over the world are suffering from pilot shortage and Air Macao launched the employment plan in Brazil in June this year, said the release.

Air Macao, having launched the debut flight in 1995, is currently running scores of international and domestic flights.

(Xinhua News Agency September 29, 2006)