By: N. I Malik, Strategic Business Analyst
As airlines increase their capacity to meet growing demand and increase the number and size of aircraft in use, the number of passengers will continue to grow due to a growing economy and population. Employment of aircraft mechanics and service technicians is expected to decline as more airlines outsource the maintenance and repair of their aircraft to contractors. Airlines are also expected to retire their older and less reliable aircraft, which will reduce demand for mechanics. The flight attendant turnover will also create additional employment opportunities as many workers move to other professions offered, such as retail, hospitality, and retail management. Mechanics and technicians will face increased competition for jobs with larger airlines, as jobs with higher wages and travel benefits tend to attract more applicants than vacancies. Applicants who have experience and keep up with the latest technological advances should have the best chances. These opportunities are likely to be reflected in the number of jobs for mechanics and service technicians at major airlines.
Industry experts say the employment scenario in the aviation sector will remain positive, although the ongoing crisis could prompt a short-term shift in hiring sentiment.
The Chimes Aviation Academy, which trains pilots, plans to expand it’s capacity and train 120 pilots over the next 4-5 months. The training academy is expanding its capacities to meet the growing demand for airline professionals. 250 pilots are to be trained this year, with 900 needed by the industry.
According to calculations by the Federal Aviation Administration, the US will need to train enough pilots by 2020 to meet the growing demand for more than 1.5 million new pilots per year. The FAA estimates that there will be about 2,000 pilots missing in the United States by the 2020s. Pilots from airlines responsible for transporting tons of cargo per kilometer are facing a looming shortage of pilots. New technologies are emerging in the industry, and newer aircraft are expected to require higher maintenance than older models, which could limit the number of jobs for pilots and other air traffic controllers. Newer aircraft require specialized maintenance work carried out by trained and qualified technicians. Aeronautical mechanics and technicians specialize in aircraft maintenance and repair as well as the installation and maintenance of new aircraft and aircraft components. The national pilot shortage has made headlines in recent years, with more than 1,000 pilots missing in the United States alone. To address the shortage, airlines and other industry organizations, including the Regional Airline Association (RAA), are working to increase the number of pilots available to meet growing demand from the aviation industry.
