The 5 Regions Where Most Aviation Personnel Will Be Needed In The Next 20 Years

More than 2.77 million new aviation personnel will be needed by 2042.


Photo: Airbus

The North American aircraft manufacturing giant Boeing recently revealed its 2023 edition of the Commercial Market Outlook (CMO). The CMO forecasts a need for over 42,000 new aircraft in the next 20 years. The manufacturer forecasts that the growing need for passenger and freighter aircraft is driven by increasing passenger demand worldwide.

Passenger traffic is expected to grow multiple folds, particularly in Asia-Pacific and the People's Republic of China (PRC) regions. While North American passenger traffic will dominate the total volume, emerging markets will significantly contribute to the overall growth.

More than 2.27 million new aviation personnel will be needed to meet the increasing demand in the next two decades. Those personnel will provide all aviation services, including training & pilot services, digital solutions & analysis, parts & distribution services, and maintenance & overhaul services.

According to Boeing,

“To support the recovery and growth driven by expansion of global fleets, the aviation industry will need a long-term strategy that addresses upcoming labor challenges. Investments in early career development programs and outreach efforts that spark excitement among future aviators will be essential to a healthy aviation market for years to come.”

The manufacturer also acknowledges the training and assessments needed for the new Aviation personnel in the coming years. As such, airlines, manufacturers, and aviation partners work together to ensure competency-based aviation training.

The Vice President of Commercial Training Solutions, Boeing Global Services, Chris Broom, expressed his excitement for increasing demand for aviation personnel by saying,

“With domestic air travel fully recovered and international traffic near pre-pandemic levels, demand for aviation personnel continues to increase. Our competency based training and assessment offerings will help ensure high-quality training for future and current aviation professionals and continue enhancing aviation safety through immersive and virtual training solutions.”

This article explores the need for new aviation personnel in various regions worldwide.

5 Africa and Middle East

Africa and the Middle East have one of the largest growing aviation markets. The emergence of low-cost carriers in the two regions has provided cost-effective air travel to middle-class communities. Both markets have almost completely recovered from the pandemic disruptions and are on the growth path.

The two regions will need 13% of the new aviation personnel in the next 20 years. By 2042, the two regions will have over 296,000 new personnel, providing expertise and support in all areas of aviation. These include flight, crew, manufacturing, supply chain, maintenance, and support personnel.

4 People's Republic of China (PRC)

The People's Republic of China benefits from its population, the largest in the world. According to the Airbus Global Market Forecast (GMF), the domestic aviation industry in China has not only recovered from the pandemic but also seen a 25% growth in available seat kilometers.

While the international passenger market faces challenges in recovery, the outlook is bright. The region will need 19% of the new aviation personnel in the next 20 years. By 2042, the region will have over 432,500 new personnel, providing expertise and support in major areas of aviation.

3 Asia-Pacific (excluding China)

Asia Pacific is one of the largest growing markets regarding passenger volumes and available seat kilometers. India is leading the Asia Pacific market with its multi-fold passenger growth. Both the full-service airlines and low-cost carriers in India are expanding their route network and fleet thanks to the greater accessibility of air travel.

The Asia-Pacific region will need 21% of the new aviation personnel in the next 20 years. By 2042, the region will have over 478,000 new personnel. These would comprise pilots, technicians, digital service providers, maintenance, overhaul, and repair service personnel.

2 Eurasia region (Europe and Russia)

For this calculation, the Eurasia region primarily includes Europe and Russia. Boeing states that Europe will be the second-largest market after North America based on the revenue passenger kilometers (RPK) in the next 20 years. The diversity of Europe and its geographical location Sitting between the western and eastern parts of the world brings many business and leisure travelers.

Home to some of the largest full-service and low-cost carriers is expected to have 23% of the total aviation personnel in the next two decades. By 2042, the region will have over 523,500 new personnel, providing expertise and support in major areas of aviation.

1 Americas (North and South America)

Whether it is aerospace and defense manufacturing, Aviation supply chain, or air travel market (commercial and private), Americas has the largest market share. The three largest airlines in the world by revenue and fleet size are in North America. The Americas have the highest RPK of 2.2 billion and is expected to double in the next 20 years.

Boeing’s CMO forecast that the region will require 24% of the new aviation personnel in the next two decades. Having nearly a quarter of the total aviation personnel requirement, the region will see nearly 550,000 new aviation personnel. Aviation parts manufacturing, distribution, maintenance, and modifications would be some of the key areas where aviation personnel would be needed.