Airbus forecasts that the global aviation services market will double over the next 20 years, exceeding $420 billion by 2045. According to the company’s Global Services Forecast (GSF), the market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 3.8%, while the global aircraft fleet is projected to reach 45,550 aircraft and annual passenger traffic to increase to 10 billion.
This growth is also expected to significantly increase demand for skilled aviation professionals. Airbus estimates that the industry will need 2.44 million additional personnel by 2045, including 730,000 aircraft maintenance technicians, 660,000 pilots, and 1.05 million cabin crew members.
According to the report, off-wing maintenance will represent the largest segment of the aviation services market, reaching $217 billion by 2045. Maintenance operations support is expected to reach $104 billion, followed by on-wing maintenance at $36 billion, digital and connectivity solutions at $27 billion, modifications and upgrades at $21 billion, and training services at $17 billion.
Digital and connectivity solutions are expected to be the fastest-growing segment, with an annual growth rate of 5.3%, tripling in value over the next two decades. These technologies are expected to help airlines improve operational efficiency, reduce delays and cancellations, and optimize maintenance processes.
Airbus also predicts that Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), North America, and China will remain the largest aviation services markets, while Asia-Pacific, China, and South Asia are expected to experience the fastest growth.
