Boeing forecasts demand for 2.3m pilots and crew in next 20 years

With the global commercial airplane fleet expected to double by 2042, Boeing forecasts industry-wide demand for 2.3 million new aviation crew members over the next 20 years to support the…


Woman pilot sitting in aircraft cockpit, flying the plane.

With the global commercial airplane fleet expected to double by 2042, Boeing forecasts industry-wide demand for 2.3 million new aviation crew members over the next 20 years to support the commercial fleet and meet 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.

‘Demand for aviation personnel continues to increase’

“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.”

Crew needs

Through 2042, the PTO projects:

China, Eurasia and North America drive demand for more than half of new industry personnel, with requirements in China surpassing North America.
The fastest-growing regions for personnel are Africa, Southeast Asia and South Asia, with their regional demand expected to nearly double.
After omitting demand for Russia in last year’s PTO due to uncertainty in the region, this year’s forecast includes Russia in the Eurasia region, and it comprises 3% of global demand for personnel.

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

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