Toulouse, France, 14 October 2026 – Airbus anticipates that total demand for aviation services will double from 2026 reaching an estimated value of more than US$420 billion by 2045. These services, which sustain the aviation sector’s robustness, will grow at a 3.8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), supporting an increasing world aircraft fleet of 45,550 by 2045. Over the same 20 year period, passenger numbers will double to 10 billion.
This will lead to a cumulative need for 730,000 maintenance technicians, 660,000 pilots and 1,050,000 cabin crew, totalling more than 2.44 million additional skilled people.
Digital solutions and connectivity underpin all sectors of the services market supporting airlines to improve operational efficiency, reduce disruptions such as delays and cancellations, maintenance agility and real-time connectivity to meet passenger expectations for a seamless journey.
Airbus’ GSF outlines six key services segments: (....)