Airbus has said it expects the global commercial aircraft services market to double in value over the next 20 years - requiring an extra two million workers to join the sector.
The aerospace giant - which has UK bases in Filton, South Gloucestershire and Broughton, North Wales - has forecast a “bigger than ever” demand for highly skilled workers, such as pilots or technicians, as the industry recovers following the devastating impact of Covid-19.
The company said it was expecting the aircraft maintenance market to recover to pre pandemic levels by next year, and its value to soar over the next two decades from £84.2bn ($95bn) currently to more than £203bn ($230bn) in 2041.
Airbus said that as flight operators focus more on their core business, services to improve aircraft availability and efficiency would increasingly be outsourced, boosting the market for maintenance providers.
It added this trend would be driven by technological advancements and sustainability efforts within the industry, as work continues to decarbonise air travel and reduce emissions to net zero.
A report published by the firm - whose civil aeroplane business is headquartered in Toulouse, France - said a compounded annual growth rate of 3.7% within the services market could necessitate the need for 585,000 new pilots, 640,000 new technicians and 875,000 new cabin crew members over the next 20 years.
Airbus’ executive vice president of programmes and services Philippe Mhun said: “Accelerated digitalisation 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, reduce fuel consumption and emissions.”
Airbus announced earlier this year it will launch a new research hub at its base near Bristol to develop hydrogen technologies, a Zero Emission Development Centre.
The facility will support the firm’s ambition to develop the world's first zero-emission commercial aircraft by 2035.
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