- Noeing projects $4.9 trillion aviation services market and demand for more than 2.4 million commercial aviation professionals through 2045
- Industry faces production, supply chain and workforce constraints as digitalization and sustainability reshape aviation services
- Efficiency initiatives focusing on aircraft lifecycle management
- Increased aircraft digitalization and data-driven services
- Geographic shifts in aviation services needs
- Transformation and growing demand for the aviation workforce
- Retirements driving attrition and increasing personnel demand
- 674,000 pilots
- 728,000 maintenance technicians
- 1,023,000 cabin crew members
Boeing [NYSE: BA] today released its comprehensive 20-year outlook for the commercial aviation services market, the Boeing Services Market Outlook(opens in a new tab), and the Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook(opens in a new tab), focused on projected workforce requirements. Over the next two decades, Boeing forecasts a $4.9 trillion support and services market, alongside a demand for over 2.4 million new commercial aviation professionals.
According to Boeing’s 2026 Commercial Market Outlook(opens in a new tab), sustained growth in commercial aviation is expected to continue, with demand and traffic set to double over the next 20 years. The report also indicated near-term disruptions will not have an impact on long-term aviation growth.
Key Trends Shaping the Services Market
Several key trends are expected to influence the commercial aviation services market over the next 20 years:
“As we look toward the future, we see strong demand for services across the portfolio, new opportunities as fleets become more digitally enabled and a growing need for a skilled workforce,” said Chris Raymond, president and CEO of Boeing Global Services. “To meet those needs we will continue to digitally modernize our business and invest in skilled people and customer-focused improvements to keep aircraft flying safely and efficiently for years to come.”
Workforce Demand: Over 2.4 Million New Aviation Professionals Needed
Fueled by fleet growth and evolving market demands, Boeing’s 2026 Pilot and Technician Outlook (PTO) projects an industry need for approximately:
This totals more than 2.4 million new personnel globally through 2045. Two-thirds of this demand will replace retiring personnel, while one-third will support fleet growth. Boeing highlights competency-based training and assessment, and advancements in technologies that will transform aviation training. These tools enhance hands-on learning and situational awareness, key to addressing shortages of pilots and technicians globally.
“Our industry will keep the expanding global fleet flying safely and efficiently by investing in workforce development worldwide,” said Chris Broom, Vice President, Commercial Training Solutions, Boeing Global Services. “Immersive technologies will enhance training, supporting Competency-Based Training and Assessment approaches to ensure the highest quality aviation training.”
Regional Breakdown of Services and Personnel Demand through 2045
|
Region
|
New Pilots
|
New
|
New Cabin
|
Total New
|
Total
|
|
Global
|
674,000
|
728,000
|
1,023,000
|
2,425,000
|
$4,9T
|
|
Africa
|
22,000
|
25,000
|
28,000
|
75,000
|
$140B
|
|
China
|
123,000
|
131,000
|
171,000
|
425,000
|
$875B
|
|
Eurasia
|
153,000
|
169,000
|
249,000
|
571,000
|
$1,185B
|
|
Latin
|
38,000
|
42,000
|
56,000
|
136,000
|
$260B
|
|
Middle East
|
67,000
|
65,000
|
104,000
|
236,000
|
$475B
|
|
North
|
122,000
|
125,000
|
191,000
|
438,000
|
$995B
|
|
Northeast
|
24,000
|
28,000
|
43,000
|
95,000
|
$200B
|
|
Oceania
|
11,000
|
12,000
|
18,000
|
41,000
|
$85B
|
|
South Asia
|
48,000
|
48,000
|
54,000
|
150,000
|
$220B
|
|
Southeast
|
66,000
|
83,000
|
109,000
|
258,000
|
$425B
|