Boeing predicts a need for 2.3 million new pilots, technicians, and cabin crew in the next 20 years. The 2023 Outlook expects China, Eurasia, and North America to account for over half of the aviation staffing demand until 2042.
As the global commercial airplane fleet is expected to double by 2042, Boeing [NYSE: BA] anticipates an industry-wide need for 2.3 million new aviation personnel over the next two decades. This requirement aims to support the commercial fleet and accommodate the long-term growth in air travel.
The company’s 2023 Pilot and Technician Outlook (PTO) projects that commercial carriers will need significant personnel through 2042 to support the global commercial fleet:
- 649,000 pilots
- 690,000 maintenance technicians
- 938,000 cabin crew members.
“With domestic air travel fully recovered and international traffic near pre-pandemic levels, demand for aviation personnel continues to increase,” said Chris Broom, vice president, Commercial Training Solutions, Boeing Global Services. “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.”
Through 2042, the PTO projects:
- More than half of the demand for new industry personnel comes from China, Eurasia, and North America, with China leading.
- Africa, Southeast Asia, and South Asia are the fastest-growing regions for personnel.
- Despite previous omission due to uncertainty, Russia is now included in this year’s forecast, contributing 3% to global personnel demand.
The PTO forecast includes:
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 |
Boeing, a global leader in aerospace, specializes in making, servicing, and maintaining commercial planes, defense products, and space systems. Their operations span over 150 countries, and they use their international supply base to boost economic growth and sustainability. Boeing’s team is diverse and driven by commitment to the future, innovation, and sustainability, all grounded in their core values of safety, quality, and integrity.
Discover your potential at boeing.com/careers.