Career and Job Market

The Boeing Market Outlook is one of many sources forecasting a high demand for pilots in the coming years. Their estimate is backed by many other sources such as Airbus and ICAO.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the short-term need for pilots has been drastically reduced, but the underlying need for pilots is will still be there as the aviation industry and global economy recovers. 

By looking back in time, we can also determine that the aviation industry has been resilient and growing in spite of its many challenges. The global financial crisis, wars, oil crisis, and terrorist attacks are some of the external threats that airlines have been faced with in past decades. Nonetheless, air travel has been doubling every 15 years as measured by Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPK's) and with the global population on its way towards eight billion(!) people, we can assume that this trend is likely to persist.

The most explosive growth in terms of pilot demand is predicted in the Asia-Pacific region, where large economies such as China contribute in an extraordinary manner due to an exponentially expanding middle class. Even though the North American and European markets are more saturated, there is still substantial growth to be expected in these regions as well. With a forecasted need for more than 352,000(!) pilots estimated by Boeing by 2037. 

If you are a European citizen, the job market you should initially focus on is the European market. In Europe alone, the growth rate is expected to provide 146,000 pilot jobs in the next 20 years. This is also why OSM Aviation Academy and OSM Aviation focuses on providing the best flight training for those who want a career in the skies.