Boeing has recently forecasted a significant surge in demand for new aviation personnel. This demand is expected to rise over the next 20 years as the global commercial airplane fleet is predicted to double by 2042. The aviation industry is projected to require 2.3 million new personnel including pilots, technicians, and flight attendants, to manage the expanding commercial fleet and cater to the growth in long-term air travel.
Breakdown of Boeing’s 2023 Pilot and Technician Outlook
Boeing’s 2023 Pilot and Technician Outlook (PTO) gives us a detailed look at the projected demand for aviation personnel. Commercial carriers, according to this outlook, will need substantial personnel through 2042 to support the worldwide commercial fleet. This requirement includes 649,000 pilots, 690,000 maintenance technicians, and 938,000 flight attendants or cabin crew members.
| Region | New Pilots | New Technicians | New Cabin Crew |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global | 649,000 | 690,000 | 938,000 |
| Africa | 21,000 | 22,000 | 26,000 |
| China | 134,000 | 138,000 | 161,000 |
| Eurasia | 143,000 | 156,000 | 235,000 |
| Latin America | 38,000 | 41,000 | 49,000 |
| Middle East | 58,000 | 58,000 | 99,000 |
| North America | 127,000 | 125,000 | 177,000 |
| Northeast Asia | 23,000 | 28,000 | 39,000 |
| Oceania | 10,000 | 11,000 | 18,000 |
| South Asia | 37,000 | 38,000 | 45,000 |
| Southeast Asia | 58,000 | 73,000 | 89,000 |
Chris Broom, vice president of Commercial Training Solutions at Boeing Global Services, said, “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.”
Demand Growth Across The Globe
The PTO’s projections up to 2042 show some interesting trends. China, Eurasia, and North America are expected to drive demand for more than half of the new industry personnel, with China surpassing North America in personnel requirements.
Growth isn’t just limited to these regions. Some of the fastest-growing regions for aviation personnel are Africa, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. The demand in these areas is expected to nearly double.
Furthermore, this year’s forecast reintroduces Russia into the Eurasia region, after excluding it in the previous year’s PTO due to regional uncertainties. Russia is now expected to comprise 3% of the global demand for personnel.
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