Toulouse, France: Airbus estimates that the aviation industry will need a cumulative total of 730,000 maintenance technicians, 660,000 pilots and 1.05 million cabin crew over the next 20 years. Combined, these categories represent more than 2.44 million additional skilled professionals required to support the forecast expansion.
The release on 14 October, 2026 links this workforce requirement to the projected growth of the global aircraft fleet and passenger traffic. Training is one of the six services segments identified in the forecast, with Airbus stating that the industry must intensify efforts to attract and train new talent.
The figures describe the industry’s projected cumulative workforce requirement over the forecast period. The press release does not provide a country-by-country breakdown of these personnel needs or specify how many of the positions would be newly created jobs at Airbus itself.
The Global Services Forecast divides the aviation services market into six segments, with each carrying a separate projected market value and compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for 2045.
1. Off-Wing Maintenance
Airbus projects that off-wing maintenance will reach US$217 billion by 2045, growing at a CAGR of 3.7%. The segment is expected to double in value, driven by an increasing number of maintenance shop visits as the global fleet grows and aircraft age. Material supply is also significant, reflecting demand for parts support and repair.
2. Maintenance Operations Support
This segment is forecast to reach US$104 billion by 2045, with a CAGR of 4.3%, the highest among the six segments. Airbus has added Maintenance Operations Support as a new cluster in the forecast. It includes providing inventory on time and to the required quality, alongside engineering support to ensure continued airworthiness and aircraft reliability.
3. On-Wing Maintenance
On-wing maintenance is projected to reach US$36 billion by 2045, growing at a CAGR of 2.8%. The segment covers maintenance activities ranging from light inspections to heavy checks. Airbus expects demand to grow in line with the expansion of the global aircraft fleet.
4. Digital and Connectivity
Digital and connectivity services are expected to reach US$27 billion by 2045, with a CAGR of 5.3%, making this the fastest-growing segment. Airbus expects the market to triple over the next two decades.
The company says digital solutions and connectivity support airlines in improving operational efficiency, reducing disruptions such as delays and cancellations, making maintenance more agile and providing real-time connectivity to meet passenger expectations for a seamless journey.
5. Modifications and Upgrades
Airbus forecasts a market value of US$21 billion by 2045 for modifications and upgrades, with a CAGR of 2.6%. The segment includes upgrading older aircraft through cabin retrofits and the integration of modern technologies.
6. Training
The training services market is projected to reach US$17 billion by 2045, growing at a CAGR of 3.1%. Airbus identifies training as an important part of addressing the industry’s substantial workforce requirement, particularly the need to attract and prepare new talent.
Cristina Aguilar Grieder, Senior Vice President of Customer Services, Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, said: “As the global fleet doubles to more than 45,550 aircraft by 2045, we need to get ready. Airbus is expanding its role as an integral services partner to support our customers across the entire aircraft lifecycle. By integrating predictive operations, fleet modernisation, and advanced digital solutions, we are helping airlines ensure fleet availability, reliability, safety and long-term operational excellence.”
The statement sets out Airbus’s intention to expand its role as a services partner throughout the aircraft lifecycle. The company’s stated approach includes predictive operations, fleet modernisation and advanced digital solutions to support aircraft availability, reliability, safety and long-term operational performance.
Airbus expects Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), North America and China to remain the largest aviation services markets in terms of total demand over the next 20 years.
Asia is projected to be the fastest-growing region. In the release, Airbus defines Asia as encompassing Asia-Pacific, China and South Asia.
The regional forecast distinguishes between the markets expected to generate the greatest overall demand and the region expected to record the fastest growth. Airbus does not provide specific regional market values or growth rates in the press release.
Airbus describes its Global Services Forecast as aircraft-agnostic, meaning it is not limited to Airbus-manufactured aircraft. Its scope covers passenger jets with a capacity exceeding 100 seats and freighters with a payload capability above 10 tonnes.
The forecast therefore addresses services demand across the specified commercial aircraft market rather than only the manufacturer’s own fleet.
The announcement was published on 14 October 2026, with the dateline Toulouse, France. The release appears under Airbus’s Commercial Aircraft business.
Airbus listed the following media contacts in the release:
- Justin Dubon – Airbus, Commercial Aircraft.
- Sandrine Cazes – Airbus, Commercial Aircraft.
The release also provides access to the Global Services Forecast 2026–2045, its presentation and a highlights document through the Airbus website.
Airbus’s forecast projects that global aviation services demand will exceed US$420 billion by 2045, supported by a growing aircraft fleet and rising passenger numbers. The company expects demand across maintenance, operational support, digital services, upgrades and training to expand over the next two decades.
The requirement for more than 2.44 million additional skilled professionals highlights the workforce challenge accompanying this growth. Digital and connectivity services are expected to expand fastest among the six segments, while Asia is projected to be the fastest-growing regional market.
The forecast provides Airbus’s long-term assessment of the aviation services industry through 2045. Its figures are projections, not confirmed future hiring commitments or guaranteed market outcomes.
