According to Gulf News Senior Assistant Editor Jay Hilotin, citing the CAE Aviation Talent Forecast, the global aviation industry will require approximately 300,000 new pilots by 2034 to support growth and offset retirements across commercial and business aviation sectors. This demand reflects broader workforce challenges as airlines expand their networks and fleets worldwide.
The 2025 CAE Aviation Talent Forecast, released at the Paris Air Show, estimates that the civil aviation sector will need 1.5 million aviation professionals over the next decade, including pilots, cabin crew, aircraft maintenance technicians, and air traffic controllers.
Why Pilot Demand Is Rising
The CAE Aviation Talent Forecast provides detailed projections that explain this workforce surge:
- 300,000 pilots are expected to be needed globally by 2034.
- Of these, 267,000 are commercial aviation pilots and 33,000 are business aviation pilots, driven by both market growth and replacement of retiring personnel.
- The wider forecast anticipates 678,000 cabin crew, 416,000 aircraft maintenance technicians, and 71,000 air traffic controllers will also be needed through 2034.
These figures reflect a sustained expansion of air travel demand, fleet growth, and a wave of retirements among existing aviation professionals.
Regional and Sectoral Drivers of Pilot Demand
Growth in Asia-Pacific and Beyond
Asia-Pacific represents a major hub for demand due to rapid fleet expansion and rising passenger volumes, requiring robust pilot recruitment and training pipelines.
In other regions, including Europe and North America, airlines continue to increase recruitment as travel rebounds and airline networks expand, further stressing pilot supply systems.
Industry Responses to Talent Shortages
Pilot Training and Recruitment Challenges
Training capacity is one of the key bottlenecks in meeting the projected demand. Simulation centers, flight schools, and instructor availability must scale up significantly, alongside cost and accessibility considerations, if the sector is to sustain its projected growth trajectory.
Airlines are adjusting recruitment and retention strategies with:
- Enhanced salary and benefits packages
- Flexible rostering and improved lifestyle incentives
- Expanded cadet and partnership training programs
These measures aim to make aviation careers more attractive and sustainable for the next generation of pilots.
Wider Workforce Pressures Across Aviation
The pilot demand narrative is part of a larger workforce challenge:
- Aircraft maintenance technicians: ~416,000 needed
- Cabin crew: ~678,000 needed
- Air traffic controllers: ~71,000 needed
- Total aviation professionals: ~1.5 million by 2034
This broader deficit underscores that the aviation talent shortage extends beyond pilots to include all core operational roles essential for safe and efficient air transport.
What This Means for Aspiring Pilots and Aviation
Career Opportunities and Pathways
For individuals considering aviation careers, the projected demand suggests strong opportunities over the next decade. However, prospective pilots should be aware of:
- Cost of training and certifications
- Length of qualification pathways
- Geographic variations in demand and certification requirements
Investing in training early and connecting with accredited academies can position candidates favorably in a competitive labor market.
Industry Outlook: What’s Next?
Strategic Collaboration Required
Meeting the projected need for 300,000 pilots by 2034 and broader aviation workforce demands will require coordinated action from:
- Airlines and operators
- Training institutions and simulation centers
- Regulators and industry bodies such as ICAO and IATA
There is an urgent need to modernize training curricula, expand infrastructure, and streamline certification pathways to ensure that workforce supply keeps pace with industry demand. Continued monitoring of updated forecasts and cross-sector collaboration will be crucial as global travel continues to grow.
Sources
- 300,000 new pilots needed by 2034: industry forecast” : Gulf News, by Jay Hilotin, January 23, 2026 (summarizing CAE’s Aviation Talent Forecast).
- CAE forecasts 1.5 million civil aviation professionals needed over next 10 years: CAE press release, June 16, 2025.
- CAE 2025 Aviation Talent Forecast: Pilot demand overview (CAE).
