With Increasing Air Travel Comes Increasing Job Markets for all Aviation Professionals

Boeing released its 20-year Pilot and Technician Outlook at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh on July 22, 2025, projecting a global demand for 2.4 million new aviation professionals between 2025 and 2044. This includes 660,000 pilots, 710,000 maintenance technicians, and 1,000,000 cabin crew, driven by growing air travel and fleet expansion. 

The report forecasts delivery of 43,600 new aircraft over the next two decades: 33,285 single-aisle, 7,815 widebody,1,545 regional jet, and 955 freighters as airlines replace aging fleets and expand service. Global commercial traffic has tripled over the past 25 years, requiring modern training solutions and increased workforce capacity.

Chris Broom, VP of Pilot Training and Solutions at Boeing, emphasized the shift toward Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA), a data-driven approach that focuses on demonstrated skills (stick and rudder, if you will) rather than time-based training. CBTA is a program designed with a few things in mind: the curricula, technology, instructors, and safety data analytics. Boeing is also developing simulation tools to train maintenance technicians with real-world scenarios.

To meet the rising demand in airline routes and to double the fleet size, 33,000 new pilots have to be trained annually, growing at 4.1% per year. The technician pipeline is especially competitive as many current professionals approach retirement. Cabin crew demand is also expected to rise 3.2% annually.

Boeing is investing globally in aviation education, offering scholarships, and working with a few different flight schools to utilize their training program. Said schools will not yet be disclosed. Since 2000, Boeing has been gracious enough to invite and pay for young kids to go to Oshkosh in an attempt to inspire future aviators.

FMI: www.boeing.com