CAE forecasts need to recruit 1.3 million new aviation professionals by 2032

At Paris Air Show CAE released its 2023 Aviation Talent Forecast, which anticipates a global need for 1.3 million new aviation professionals to join the industry as pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians and cabin crew over the next 10 years to support the expected growth of the commercial and business aviation markets. The comprehensive 10-year study estimates a need for 1.18 million individuals to be recruited and trained for the commercial aviation industry, and 106,000 people for business aviation, to fill vacancies due to retirement and attrition, and the expansion of the aviation industry. 

Nick Leontidis, CAE’s Group President, Civil Aviation, commented: “With a need for 1.3 million people by 2032, CAE’s Aviation Talent Forecast is a call to action for the industry to promote careers in aviation to the next generation, reach out to underrepresented communities, and develop innovative support programs to expand the pool of talent needed for the continued growth and safety of our industry. As commercial aviation nears full recovery and business aviation exceeds pre-pandemic levels, CAE’s Aviation Talent Forecast shows that the demand will continue to grow, and the industry will have to come together and find creative ways to ensure a steady pipeline of highly trained personnel for the next 10 years and beyond.”

The Aviation Talent Forecast is a tool for stakeholders across the aviation ecosystem which analyzes the upcoming talent demand for pilots, and for the first time in this report, for aircraft maintenance technicians and cabin crew worldwide. It not only focuses on how many people will be needed in each region over the next decade but also on the reasons for the high demand and what the industry can do to attract talent.

The report also offers insightful perspectives on the industry's transformation through advanced training, sustainable practices, and diverse talent acquisition. In addition to projecting the demand for aviation professionals, it highlights the role of technology in shaping the industry, the importance of sustainability, and the impact of diversity in filling the talent pipeline.

Read the 2023 Aviation Talent Forecast.