The aviation industry is entering one of the most consequential decades in its history. A new CAE Aviation Talent Forecast indicates that we will need more than 1.5 million new aviation professionals by 2034, driven by the expansion of air travel, fleet growth, and retirements. For anyone considering an aviation career, the time is now to take to the skies.

Why the urgency?

Demand is increasing for qualified pilots, maintenance technicians, air traffic controllers, and cabin crew. While air travel is recovering and growing, the industry is also experiencing a wave of retirements. In the US, now more than half of airline pilots are over age 50, and thousands are expected to retire each year over the next decade. Worldwide demand is even worse: there are currently 266,000 aviation maintenance technicians, and in 2034, 83% of them will need to be replaced.

Along with retirements, the growth in e-commerce, regional growth, and increased demand for business aviation flights are supporting the demand for more professionals. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to realize the greatest increase; however, North America will experience some of the highest replacement needs due to an aging workforce.

Opportunities at all positions

Pilots are the most recognizable face of aviation, but demand goes beyond the cockpit. Pilots: The global aviation industry will need more than 144,000 new pilots through 2034, 60,000 of those in North America.

Maintenance Technicians: This will likely be the biggest challenge, as approximately 83% turnover is expected by 2034.

Air Traffic Controllers: The shortage is already yielding some congestion, particularly in the United States, and the FAA predicts that at least 15,000 new controllers will need to be trained.

Bottom line: if you want to fly, fix, or manage, there’s a place for you in aviation’s future.

The challenges to the industry:

Attracting and retaining talent is not going to be easy. Stress, burnout, and costly training are part of the equation. Nearly 30% of air traffic control students in the U.S. don’t finish training, revealing the need for improved preparation and support systems. There are also diversity challenges to contend with- only 5% of airline transport pilots are women, and only 3% of FAA-registered mechanics and repair agents are women.

What this means to you

For job seekers, the numbers really say it all: this is a “once in a generation” recruiting opportunity. For the next decade or more, airlines, business aviation, and aerospace will be focused on individuals ready to assume essential jobs.

Whether you are contemplating a career change or are just beginning your career, now is the time to check out aviation. Opportunities are plentiful, demand is imminent, and the industry is willing to navigate the next generation of professionals to success.

At FlightLevelJobs.com, we connect you directly with employers looking for talent in every sector of the aviation industry. The skies are waiting!