Airbus predicts the global commercial aircraft service market to recover to pre-pandemic levels in 2023 and double in value from $95bn to over $230bn in the next two decades, in its latest Global Services Forecast (GSF). As per Airbus’ prediction, these figures show an increase in the number of people working in aviation services by two million.
Philippe Mhun, Airbus EVP Programmes, and Services, said: “Every day millions of people in services, hidden champions behind the scenes, keep our global fleet of aircraft flying. Alone the number of pilots, cabin crews, and maintenance specialists is set to grow by a further two million by 2041. Accelerated digitalization of operations and maintenance and a higher proportion of latest generation aircraft in service will lead to a massive requirement for new skills and job creation, leveraging new tools and ways of working to further increase our sector’s efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and emissions.”
Airbus predicts the need for over 585,000 new pilots, 640,000 new technicians, and 875,000 new cabin crews in the next 20 years, almost doubling the value of the service market from the present value.
Mhun concludes: “The GSF confirms our strategy and we are ready. Customer experience is our priority. Customer value will be underpinned by excellence in sustainable services and new energy transition, fully leveraging our Airbus Skywise digital capabilities. Aviation services will remain one of the most advanced and international industries, keeping our customers and society at large at the heart of our operations.”
As operators focus more on their core business, services to improve aircraft availability and efficiency will increasingly be outsourced, boosting the market for those providers, says Airbus. These services will be driven by sustainability and enabled by digitalization, connectivity, and innovation, to maximize efficiency in support of CO2 net zero ambitions.