Boeing Projects Global Need for Nearly 2.4 Million New Commercial Pilots

2024 Pilot and Technician Outlook forecasts Eurasia, China and North America account for more than half of demand for aviation personnel through 2043South Asia, Southeast Asia and Africa are fastest-growing regions for staffingBoeing competency-based training and assessment programs help enhance aviation safety and ensure high quality training as needs grow

Over the next 20 years, Boeing projects a continued significant demand for aviation personnel as the global commercial airplane fleet continues to expand. The company’s 2024 Pilot and Technician Outlook (PTO) shows the industry will require nearly 2.4 million new professionals to support the growing commercial fleet and meet the long-term increase in air travel.

According to the latest PTO, commercial carriers will need the following new personnel through 2043 to sustain the global commercial fleet:

674,000 pilots716,000 maintenance technicians980,000 cabin crew members.

“Driven by aviation traffic trending above pre-pandemic levels, personnel attrition and commercial fleet growth, the demand for aviation personnel continues to rise,” saidChris Broom, vice president, Commercial Training Solutions, Boeing Global Services. “We are focused on being a reliable and innovative partner in the lifecycle of aviation training. Our offerings are rooted in competency-based training and assessment programs to help ensure high quality aviation training starting in flight schools and in commercial operations while helping enhance aviation safety through immersive and virtual training solutions.”

Through 2043, the PTO projects:

Demand for new personnel driven primarily by single aisle airplanes, except inAfricaandMiddle Eastwhere widebody airplane demand leads.Eurasia,ChinaandNorth Americadrive demand for more than half of new industry personnel.South Asia,Southeast AsiaandAfricaare the fastest-growing regions for personnel with staffing demand expected to more than triple over 20 years.Two-thirds of new personnel will address replacement due to attrition, while one- third supports growth in the commercial fleet.

he PTO forecast includes these projections for industry needs through 2043:

RegionNew PilotsNew TechniciansNew Cabin CrewGlobal674,000716,000980,000Africa23,00025,00028,000China130,000137,000163,000Eurasia155,000167,000240,000Latin America39,00042,00054,000Middle East68,00063,000104,000North America123,000123,000184,000Northeast Asia25,00030,00043,000Oceania11,00012,00018,000South Asia40,00040,00049,000Southeast Asia60,00077,00097,000

Source: Boeing