Airbus released its latest Global Services Forecast, projecting that the total value of the aviation services market will double to $420 billion by 2045. This expansion is tied to a projected increase in the global fleet, which is expected to reach 45,550 aircraft over the next two decades.
The forecast highlights that digital and connectivity segments will see the fastest growth, tripling in value as airlines prioritize operational efficiency and predictive maintenance. While off-wing maintenance remains the largest market segment, the rapid digitization of fleets is reshaping how operators approach airworthiness and reliability.
This growth trajectory brings a significant personnel challenge. Airbus estimates a requirement for 2.44 million additional skilled workers, specifically 730,000 maintenance technicians and 660,000 pilots. Given these figures, the industry faces mounting pressure to scale recruitment and training infrastructure. With the training sector projected to reach a $17 billion value by 2045, stakeholders must determine if current educational pipelines can sustain the pace of fleet expansion or if a persistent labor deficit is ahead.