Airbus forecasts that the global aviation industry will need 2.44 million workers by 2045, according to its Global Services Forecast. The forecast was released on October 14, 2026.
The projected need includes 660,000 new pilots, 730,000 maintenance technicians and 1.05 million cabin crew over the next two decades. Airbus also expects annual passenger numbers to reach 10 billion and the global aircraft fleet to grow to 45,550 over that period.
Airbus expects the aviation training market to reach $17 billion annually by 2045. The forecast covers passenger jets with more than 100 seats and freighters capable of carrying more than 22,000 pounds.
