We’ve heard of looming pilot shortages for years, but now Boeing, known for analyzing and predicting aviation staffing challenges, says there will be greater demand for roles other than pilots. In their latest outlook, the aerospace giant predicts a need for 2.3 million additional aviation personnel by 2043, broken down as 649,000 new pilots, 690,000 new technicians and an eyebrow-raising 938,000 cabin crew.
“Driven by aviation traffic trending above pre-pandemic levels, personnel attrition, and commercial fleet growth, the demand for aviation personnel continues to rise,” said Boeing’s vice-president of Commercial Training Solutions Chris Broom.
According to Boeing, most of the growth will be driven by single-aisle aircraft except in Africa and the Middle East, where the driving force will be wide-body aircraft. More than half the growth is expected to occur in Europe, China and North America.
One third of the new positions are to support industry growth, while the remaining two thirds will be to replace retiring staff.
The report cites competition for technicians from other industries and obsolete educational programs and warns that the need for more cabin crew recruitment could lead to higher cost for airlines.