Airbus expects the services market to recover to pre-pandemic levels next year and to more than double in value over the next 20 years, from $95 billion today to over $230 billion in 2041, according to the company’s latest Global Services Forecast (GSF). As a result, the number of people working in aviation will increase by two million over the period, the European aerospace group said on Thursday.
“Every day, millions of people in services, hidden champions behind the scenes, keep our global fleet of aircraft flying,” said Philippe Mhun, the company's vice president of programs and services. “Accelerated digitalization of operations and maintenance as well as 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 in order to further increase our sector’s efficiency and reduce fuel consumption and emissions.”
Airbus's projected compounded annual growth rate for the services market of 3.7 percent over the next two decades will create job openings for 585,000 new pilots, 640,000 new technicians, and 875,000 new flight attendants.
The airframer also expects more outsourcing by airlines as operators focus more on their core businesses, creating more work for independent service providers. Sustainability efforts—enabled by connectivity and digitalization—will drive demand further, according to the forecast.
“The GSF confirms our strategy and we are ready,” said Mhun. “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.”