Boeing Forecasts $4.9 Trillion Aviation Services Market by 2045

Our Bureau - : Jul 19, 2026 - : 10:46 am

Boeing expects the global commercial aviation support and services market to reach US$4.9 trillion over the next two decades, driven by fleet expansion, digital technologies and rising passenger demand, while the industry will need more than 2.4 million new aviation professionals to sustain growth.

According to the forecast, released Saturday ahead of the Farnborough International Airshow, commercial air traffic is expected to double over the next 20 years despite short-term economic and geopolitical disruptions. Boeing said long-term demand for aircraft maintenance, repair, training and other aviation services remains strong.

The U.S. aerospace manufacturer said airlines and operators will increasingly invest in aircraft lifecycle management, digital maintenance tools, data-driven services and workforce development as global fleets continue to expand.

According to Boeing's latest Pilot and Technician Outlook, the aviation industry will require approximately 674,000 pilots, 728,000 maintenance technicians and 1.02 million cabin crew members worldwide through 2045—a total of more than 2.4 million new personnel.

Boeing said about two-thirds of that demand will stem from retirements and workforce replacement, while the remaining one-third will be driven by fleet growth and increasing air travel.

"As we look toward the future, we see strong demand for services across the portfolio, new opportunities as fleets become more digitally enabled and a growing need for a skilled workforce," Chris Raymond, president and chief executive of Boeing Global Services, said in a statement.

The company said digitalisation is expected to reshape aviation support services, with airlines relying more heavily on predictive maintenance, data analytics and connected aircraft systems to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.

Boeing also highlighted the growing role of competency-based training and immersive technologies, including advanced simulators and digital learning tools, to address persistent shortages of pilots and aircraft technicians.

The forecasts complement Boeing's 2026 Commercial Market Outlook, which projects continued long-term growth in global air travel despite near-term supply chain constraints and economic uncertainty.

The outlook comes as airlines worldwide continue to expand fleets to meet rising passenger demand while grappling with shortages of aircraft, maintenance capacity and skilled aviation workers. Industry executives have repeatedly warned that workforce constraints could become one of the biggest challenges facing commercial aviation over the next decade.

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