Global Pilot Shortage

Boeing pilot predictions indicate a demand for 660,000 new pilots over the next 20 years, alongside the need for 710,000 maintenance technicians and 1,000,000 new cabin crew members. This forecast highlights the global pilot shortage that the aviation industry is currently facing, which is echoed by Airbus pilot predictions and CAE pilot predictions as well. Here’s a regional breakdown of the required new pilots: North America - 119,000 new pilots, Africa - 23,000 new pilots, Eurasia - 149,000 new pilots, China - 124,000 new pilots, Northeast Asia - 23,000 new pilots, Latin America - 37,000 new pilots, Middle East - 67,000 new pilots, South Asia - 45,000 new pilots, Southeast Asia - 62,000 new pilots, and Oceania - 11,000 new pilots. These numbers reflect the insights shared by industry experts, including those from Oliver Wyman, regarding the ongoing pilot shortage. Source: https://www.boeing.com/commercial/market/pilot-technician-outlook

Airbus pilot predictions indicate that over the next 20 years, there will be a need for more than 585,000 new pilots, alongside 640,000 maintenance technicians and numerous engineers. This aligns with broader concerns about the global pilot shortage, which has also been highlighted in Boeing pilot predictions and CAE pilot predictions. Additionally, the Oliver Wyman pilot shortage report emphasizes the urgency of addressing these workforce challenges in the aviation industry.

Oliver Wyman, a global management consulting firm, has highlighted the potential risk we face over the next 7 years as the global pilot shortage continues to affect the industry. Their analysis includes Airbus pilot predictions, Boeing pilot predictions, and CAE pilot predictions, all indicating a troubling trend. They predict that the shortfall could reach 80,000 pilots by 2032, further emphasizing the severity of the Oliver Wyman pilot shortage report.

CAE, a global industry-leading flight training provider, forecasts a significant demand for pilots, with its CAE pilot predictions indicating that 300,000 new pilots will be needed over the next decade. This includes 267,000 new Commercial Airline Pilots and 33,000 new Business Jet Pilots. Furthermore, industry analyses, including insights from Airbus pilot predictions and Boeing pilot predictions, highlight the urgency of addressing the global pilot shortage. Key facts reveal that 35% of all pilots will retire or leave the flight deck within the next 10 years, and 53% of all pilots in the United States are over 50 years old. These statistics underscore the potential implications of the Oliver Wyman pilot shortage analysis on the aviation industry. Source: https://www.cae.com/2025-aviation-talent-forecast/pilot/