Teaser
Global air travel demand continues to outpace economic growth, and US aerospace company Boeing forecasts the commercial aviation sector will need 2,370,000 qualified personnel to meet that demand over the next 20 years. According to the Boeing’s Pilot and Technician Outlook (PTO) 2025-2044 report, the sector will need 660,000 new pilots, 710,000 new maintenance technicians, and 1,000,000 new cabin crew members to maintain the global commercial aviation fleet over the next 20 years. The PTO report says two-thirds of new hires will replace workers leaving the industry either through resignations or retirements, while one-third of new hires will support growing commercial fleets.
Boeing cites emerging markets and changing fleet mixes as key factors driving growth. In 2024, Boeing 737 aircraft (all variants) flew 10 million flights and Airbus A320 aircraft flew 7.9 million flights, according to the 2024 World Air Transport Statistics Report, recently released by industry trade group IATA (International Air Transport Association).
With airline operators increasingly leaning towards incorporating newer, single-aisle aeroplanes such as the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and the Airbus 321XLR with increased range into their fleets, Boeing expects these decisions to continue to fuel job demand.
This global demand is creating significant opportunities, particularly in emerging markets like the Caribbean. Local stakeholders have long recognised the important role aviation plays in regional economies. A 2023 ‘Aviation Benefits Beyond Borders’ Oxford Economics report found that air transport supported 8.3 million jobs and contributed US$240 billion to GDP in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Aviation strategy and innovation advisor at Aeroman Aviation Consultants, Captain Alicia Hackshaw-Patience believes investment in the sector is what is needed now more than ever. In an interview with Guardian Media, she said, “If we invest now, we’ll have connected skies, homegrown talent, and even niche manufacturing. Beyond pilots, we’ll need drone operators, aerospace cybersecurity experts, data analysts and more. The sector’s future is diverse and digital.”
