Airbus Forecasts 2.4 Million New Aviation Workers Needed by 2045
Airbus has published its Global Services Forecast, projecting the aviation industry will require 2.44 million new workers by 2045 as passenger numbers double.
By The Aviation Hub
3 min read
Updated October 14, 2026 
The Airbus workforce forecast, published on 14 October 2026, projects that the global aviation industry will need 2.44 million new workers by 2045 as annual passenger numbers double and the world fleet grows to more than 45,550 aircraft. The figures come from Airbus's Global Services Forecast and cover aircraft from all manufacturers.
AeroTime reports that the breakdown covers three core groups: 660,000 new pilots, 730,000 maintenance technicians and 1.05 million cabin crew. Those numbers represent the scale of recruitment and training that the industry will need to deliver over the next two decades.
What the Airbus Workforce Forecast Covers
The forecast focuses on passenger jets with more than 100 seats and freighters capable of carrying more than 22,000 pounds, according to AeroTime. It looks at workforce requirements and the broader aviation services market rather than aircraft orders.
Airbus expects annual passenger numbers to reach 10 billion by 2045. That growth underpins every staffing and spending projection in the report.
A $420 Billion Services Market
The workforce projections sit inside a broader picture of rapid commercial growth. AeroTime reports that Airbus expects the global aviation services market to double in annual value to more than $420 billion by 2045, representing average growth of 3.8% a year.
Maintenance will account for the largest share. Airbus forecasts a $217 billion annual market for work on engines and components, driven by a larger and older fleet requiring more shop visits, repairs and replacement parts.
A further $104 billion is projected for maintenance support, covering parts inventories and engineering services. Aircraft inspections and checks are expected to add another $36 billion.
Digital Services Lead on Growth Rate
Not all segments will grow at the same pace. According to AeroTime, digital services and connectivity will be the fastest-growing category, rising at an average of 5.3% a year to reach $27 billion by 2045.
Airbus expects airlines to invest more heavily in tools that anticipate maintenance needs, reduce delays and keep passengers connected in flight. Cabin modifications and aircraft upgrades are projected to represent a further $21 billion annual market.
The Training Market Alone Will Hit $17 Billion
Meeting the staffing numbers will require a significant expansion of aviation training. AeroTime reports that Airbus expects the aviation training market to reach $17 billion annually by 2045, reflecting the scale of pipeline investment needed across pilot, technician and cabin crew programmes.
Cristina Aguilar Grieder, Airbus Senior Vice President of Customer Services for Commercial Aircraft, said: "As the global fleet doubles to more than 45,550 aircraft by 2045, we need to get ready."
The pilot shortage is a topic we have examined before. Our earlier analysis, Will AI Remove the Need for Pilots?, looked at whether technology might ease long-term demand for flight crew. Airbus's latest numbers suggest the human pipeline remains essential for at least the next two decades.
Where Growth Will Be Fastest
Airbus expects Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, North America and China to remain the largest aviation services markets by value. Asia, including China and South Asia, is forecast to grow the fastest of any region, according to AeroTime.
That regional shift matters for where training infrastructure and MRO capacity will need to be built. Airlines and training providers in those markets face the steepest ramp-up.
Readers tracking Airbus's broader commercial position can explore its fleet and order data using our Manufacturer Search.
The Bottom Line
The Airbus Global Services Forecast sets out a workforce challenge that is as large as any the industry has faced. Adding 2.44 million qualified workers in 20 years, while simultaneously growing the training market to $17 billion and the wider services sector to $420 billion, will require sustained investment from airlines, training organisations and governments alike.
The forecast is a planning tool rather than a guarantee, but the direction of travel is clear. Aviation's growth is not in doubt. Whether the industry can build the human infrastructure to support it is the harder question.
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