- Airbus forecasts aviation services market to double to more than $420bn by 2045.
- The sector will need 2.44m additional skilled people.
- This includes 730,000 maintenance technicians, 660,000 pilots and 1,050,000 cabin crew.
- Global aircraft fleet will reach 45,550 by 2045.
- Passenger numbers will double to 10bn.
Airbus has published a Global Services Forecast projecting that total demand for aviation services will double from 2026 to reach an estimated value of more than $420bn by 2045. The services will grow at a 3.8pc compound annual growth rate supporting an increasing world aircraft fleet of 45,550 by 2045.
Over the same 20-year period passenger numbers will double to 10bn. This will lead to a cumulative need for 730,000 maintenance technicians, 660,000 pilots and 1,050,000 cabin crew totalling more than 2.44m additional skilled people.
The forecast outlines six key services segments. Off-wing maintenance is projected at $217bn by 2045 with a 3.7pc CAGR. Maintenance operations support is projected at $104bn with a 4.3pc CAGR. Digital and connectivity is the fastest-growing market expected to triple over the next two decades.
Cristina Aguilar Grieder shared “As the global fleet doubles to more than 45,550 aircraft by 2045, we need to get ready. Airbus is expanding its role as an integral services partner to support our customers across the entire aircraft lifecycle.”
