Report: 1.5M New Aviation Professionals Needed by 2034

Hundreds of thousands of pilots, technicians, and cabin crew will be needed to replace retiring workers.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Pilots in an aircraft flight deck. [Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The global aviation industry is projected to require approximately 1.5 million new professionals, including pilots, technicians, cabin crew, and air traffic controllers, over the next 9-10 years.
This significant demand is driven by both anticipated growth in air travel and a large number of professionals nearing retirement, placing considerable pressure on airlines and regulatory bodies.
To address this, the industry must proactively attract, train, and retain talent, focusing on effective and modern training methods to combat high dropout rates and ensure the safety and expansion of the global aviation sector.

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A new report suggests that about 1.5 million new aviation professionals will be needed worldwide by 2034, likely increasing pressure on airlines and regulatory bodies to recruit and effectively train workers.

CAE, a Canadian technology company specializing in flight simulators and pilot training services, projects 1,465,000 pilots, technicians, air crew, air traffic controllers, and others will be needed over the next nine years to meet rising demand for air travel and replace the hundreds of thousands of aviation professionals set to retire or leave the industry.