Boeing Forecast: 596,500 New Maintenance Staff Needed Over the Next 20 Years

According to Boeing’s latest crew‑assessment forecast, the commercial aviation sector will require 466,650 pilots and 596,500 maintenance personnel over the next two decades to meet the growing demand for new and replacement aircraft. Airlines will need an average of 23,300 new pilots and 30,000 new maintenance staff per year from 2010 to 2029.

The forecast draws on Boeing’s Current Market Outlook, widely regarded as the most comprehensive analysis of the commercial aviation market. ‘When you add up all the numbers, you quickly understand the challenges facing this industry,’ said Roei Ganzarski, chief customer officer of Boeing Training & Flight Services.

Ganzarski added, ‘Our challenge is adapting training to engage the future generation of people who will fly and maintain the more than 30,000 aircraft scheduled for delivery by 2029.’

The Asia‑Pacific region will see the largest growth, requiring 180,600 pilots and 220,000 maintenance personnel. Within Asia, China alone will need 70,600 pilots and 96,400 maintenance staff.

• North America – 97,350 pilots, 137,000 maintenance personnel
• Europe – 94,800 pilots, 122,000 maintenance personnel
• Africa – 13,200 pilots, 15,000 maintenance personnel
• Middle East – 32,700 pilots, 44,500 maintenance personnel
• Latin America – 37,000 pilots, 44,000 maintenance personnel
• CIS – 11,000 pilots, 14,000 maintenance personnel

Ganzarski emphasized the need to align training with modern learning styles, citing the recent Asia Pacific Aviation Training Symposium in Kuala Lumpur. He urged the industry to adopt competency‑based, globally accessible training that caters to tech‑savvy pilots and mechanics.

Boeing Training & Flight Services delivers innovative training solutions to more than 400 customers worldwide. Its programs receive approval from over 100 regulatory agencies globally.