Boeing Forecasts 20-Year Global Demand for Nearly 2.4 Million New Commercial Pilots, Technicians, Cabin Crew

Rhea-AI Summary

Boeing (NYSE:BA) has released its 2025 Pilot and Technician Outlook (PTO), projecting a demand for nearly 2.4 million new aviation professionals through 2044. The forecast includes requirements for 660,000 pilots, 710,000 maintenance technicians, and 1 million cabin crew members.

The demand is driven primarily by single-aisle airplanes, with two-thirds of new personnel needed for attrition replacement and one-third for growth. Eurasia, China, and North America will account for over half of new industry personnel demand, while South Asia and Southeast Asia are the fastest-growing regions, expected to more than triple their staffing requirements.

Boeing is supporting this growth through advanced aviation training products and services, including mixed reality technology for enhanced hands-on learning and situational awareness.

Positive

• Projected demand for 2.4 million new aviation professionals indicates strong industry growth
• South Asia and Southeast Asia markets expected to more than triple staffing demand
• Boeing's investment in advanced training technologies shows adaptation to industry needs

Negative

• Two-thirds of new personnel needed just to address attrition, indicating high turnover challenges
• Substantial training and hiring requirements may pressure airline operational costs

Insights

Aviation Industry Analyst

Boeing's forecast of 2.4M new aviation professionals by 2044 signals robust long-term industry growth despite current challenges.

Boeing's 2025 Pilot and Technician Outlook reveals substantial long-term aviation industry growth, projecting demand for nearly 2.4 million new aviation professionals through 2044, including 660,000 pilots, 710,000 technicians, and 1 million cabin crew members. This forecast underscores the resilience and expansion trajectory of commercial aviation despite recent industry challenges.

The geographical distribution of this demand provides critical insight into aviation's shifting center of gravity. While traditional markets remain significant, with Eurasia, China, and North America driving more than half the projected personnel needs, the most dramatic growth is occurring in South and Southeast Asia, where demand is expected to more than triple. This aligns with broader economic development patterns and middle-class expansion in these regions.

Particularly noteworthy is that two-thirds of this personnel demand stems from replacement due to attrition, while only one-third supports fleet growth. This highlights the significant demographic challenge facing aviation as current professionals retire. The emphasis on single-aisle aircraft driving demand reflects the industry's evolving fleet composition toward point-to-point travel models rather than traditional hub-and-spoke systems.

Boeing's mention of investment in mixed-reality training technologies signals recognition that traditional training pipelines cannot meet these massive personnel requirements. The industry must develop more efficient, technology-enhanced training methodologies to address potential bottlenecks in the aviation talent pipeline that could otherwise constrain projected growth. This forecast ultimately reinforces that despite near-term turbulence, commercial aviation remains on a long-term growth trajectory that will require significant human capital investment.

OSHKOSH, Wis., July 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fueled by emerging markets and changes in fleet mix, Boeing [NYSE: BA] projects continued demand for aviation personnel as the global commercial fleet changes to meet the demands of the flying public. Boeing's 2025 Pilot and Technician Outlook (PTO) anticipates the industry will require nearly 2.4 million new aviation professionals through 2044 to meet the long-term increase in air travel.

Boeing, which released its annual 20-year forecast at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, said commercial carriers will need substantial hiring and training to sustain the global commercial fleet, including:

• 660,000 pilots
• 710,000 maintenance technicians
• 1,000,000 cabin crew members

"As commercial air traffic demand continues to outpace economic growth and the global fleet expands to meet demand, our industry will keep the fleet flying safely and efficiently by supporting workforce development for carriers worldwide," said Chris Broom, vice president, Commercial Training Solutions, Boeing Global Services. "The industry is investing in technologies, including mixed reality— an immersive blend of physical and digital environments that enhances hands-on learning and situational awareness. Boeing is supporting customers with digitally advanced aviation training products and services to meet their needs. The bedrock of our approach remains competency-based training and assessment methodology to ensure high quality aviation training."

In the PTO, Boeing projects through 2044:

• Two-thirds of new personnel will address replacement due to attrition, while one- third supports growth in the commercial fleet
• Demand for new personnel is driven primarily by single-aisle airplanes
• As in past years, Eurasia, China and North America continue to drive demand for more than half of new industry personnel
• South Asia and Southeast Asia are the fastest-growing regions for personnel with staffing demand expected to more than triple

The PTO includes these projections for industry needs through 2044:

Region	New Pilots	New Technicians	New Cabin Crew	Total New Personnel
Global	660,000	710,000	1,000,000	2,370,000
Africa	23,000	24,000	27,000	74,000
China	124,000	131,000	171,000	426,000
Eurasia	149,000	165,000	236,000	550,000
Latin America	37,000	42,000	55,000	134,000
Middle East	67,000	63,000	104,000	234,000
North America	119,000	123,000	193,000	435,000
Northeast Asia	23,000	27,000	42,000	92,000
Oceania	11,000	12,000	18,000	41,000
South Asia	45,000	45,000	51,000	141,000
Southeast Asia	62,000	78,000	103,000	243,000

 

A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.

Contact  

Boeing Media Relations
media@boeing.com

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SOURCE Boeing

FAQ

How many new aviation professionals will be needed globally through 2044 according to Boeing's forecast?

According to Boeing's 2025 PTO forecast, the aviation industry will need nearly 2.4 million new aviation professionals through 2044, including 660,000 pilots, 710,000 maintenance technicians, and 1 million cabin crew members.

Which regions will drive the highest demand for aviation personnel according to Boeing (NYSE:BA)?

Eurasia, China, and North America will drive demand for more than half of new industry personnel, with Eurasia leading at 550,000 professionals needed.

What is driving the need for new aviation personnel in Boeing's 2025 forecast?

The demand is driven by two main factors: two-thirds for replacement due to attrition and one-third for growth in the commercial fleet, primarily driven by single-aisle airplanes.

Which regions show the fastest growth in aviation personnel demand according to Boeing's PTO?

South Asia and Southeast Asia are the fastest-growing regions, with staffing demand expected to more than triple through 2044.

How is Boeing (NYSE:BA) supporting the aviation training needs?

Boeing is supporting customers with digitally advanced aviation training products and services, including mixed reality technology for immersive learning, and maintains a competency-based training and assessment methodology.