Business aviation forecast
Propelled by new demand
Business aviation has seen sustained growth, driven by an unforeseen rise in demand during the pandemic due to travel restrictions in other sectors. The desire to avoid crowds and large airports encouraged more people to explore business aviation as an option.
106,000
new business aviation professionals needed over the next 10 years
Business aviation talent demand by region
Business aviation
pilots
pilots
Business aircraft
maintenance technicians
maintenance technicians
Business aviation reaches new heights
Business aviation has blossomed since passengers have seen the benefit of flying privately for safety and comfort reasons. Flight activity in the two largest markets of the United States and Europe has quickly recovered and surpassed pre-pandemic levels, making business aviation a true success story coming out of the pandemic. The United States remains the largest out of all business aviation markets, but it is rapidly growing in other global markets, most notably India, China, and Brazil.
Growing the fleet
There are 22,000 business jets in service today. By 2032, we expect to see 26,000 business aviation aircraft in service. This leads to an 18% growth in the total aircraft fleet over the next ten years. The primary driver of this growth is the increase in large cabin business jets.
Source: Aviation Week
18%
Business aviation fleet
growth over the next 10 years
Business jets in service
22K
26K
2023
2032
Source: Aviation Week Forecast
Can new talent keep up the pace?
If actions to grow the workforce are not taken, air travel will take a hit. The entire industry should be committed to using available resources to recruit, train, and shape the future of the aviation by
any means.
any means.
Looking at the number of pilots and technicians that are required to fulfill the demand can be daunting, but there are ways to recruit younger people from different backgrounds to make a career in aviation.
32K new business aviation pilots needed over the next 10 years
Active
2023
57K
Remain active
31K
Replacement
26K
Growth
6K
2032
63K
Active
57k
2023
63k
6k
26k
31k
Growth
Replacement
Remain active
2032
74K new business aircraft maintenance technicians needed over the next 10 years
Active
2023
61K
Remain active
17K
Replacement
44K
Growth
30K
2032
90K
Active
61k
2023
90K
30k
44k
17k
Growth
Replacement
Remain active
2032
What can be done to supply the demand?
1.
Create programs to support career development
2.
Educate potential candidates earlier in their academic path
3.
Engage in more modern outreach techniques targeting Generation Z
4.
Survey target audiences to determine the existing stigmas attached to a career in aviation when recruiting
5.
Lower entrance barriers by offering financial aid, work-study opportunities, and sponsorships, and scholarships
6.
Survey target audiences to determine the stigmas that exist when it comes to a career in aviation to ease recruiting
Bringing the industry into the 21st century
Talent takes on all shapes and colors and we need to approach this search for new recruits with an open mind. Let’s let talent dictate how far a person goes with their career. Employers will relieve the strain on resources by diversifying the workforce via proactive recruiting of women and underrepresented groups.