Key facts
- Aviation needs 2.44 million new hires over two decades, including 730,000 for maintenance.
- The forecast includes 1.05 million cabin crew and 660,000 pilots.
- Airbus estimates the aviation services market will reach $420 billion in 20 years, growing 3.8% annually.
- Airbus aims for its commercial aircraft service revenue to exceed $10 billion by 2030, up from an estimated $6.05 billion in 2025.
- The fastest-growing segment of the services market is data-crunching and connectivity, projected to grow 5.3% annually to $27 billion by 2045.
Airbus forecasts that the global aviation industry will require 2.44 million new employees over the next two decades to support the expansion of air travel. This significant hiring demand, which includes 1.05 million cabin crew and 660,000 pilots, comes at a time when the sector is already grappling with labor shortages, particularly in maintenance roles where 730,000 workers are needed.
The aerospace giant's projections align with a broader trend of growth in the post-factory services market, which Airbus estimates will double in size to $420 billion over the next 20 years, expanding at an average annual rate of 3.8%. This forecast closely mirrors Boeing's prediction of 3.7% annual growth.
Airbus aims to capture a larger share of this growing market, targeting more than $10 billion in service revenue for its commercial aircraft by 2030, a goal it previously set for 2025 before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted industry plans. The company's commercial chief executive, Lars Wagner, highlighted a shift in strategy from solely delivering aircraft to also offering comprehensive services.
While engine maintenance and repair represent a substantial portion of the services market, with hundreds of jets experiencing frequent repairs leading to groundings, the fastest growth is expected in data-crunching and connectivity services. This segment is projected to grow 5.3% annually, reaching $27 billion by 2045, as airlines increasingly view internet access as a crucial feature for passengers.