Paris Air Show 2025: CAE says aviation needs to do more to attract and retain talent

Global aviation training and operat6ions specialist CAE has estimated that the sector needs to hire 1.5 million civil aviation professionals by 2034.

In the firm’s biennial Aviation Talent Forecast released today at the Paris Air Show, CAE says the sector requires 300,000 pilots, 416,000 aircraft maintenance technicians, 678,000 cabin crew and 71,000 air traffic controllers.

The 2025 forecast says the largest percentage of these will be required to meet rapidly rising demand in the Asia Pacific region.

Marie-Christine Cloutier, vice president strategy, performance, air traffic services and marketing, for CAE, said:

“The need for 1.5 million new aviation professionals by 2034 is being driven by record demand for air travel and a significant wave of retirements that is expected across all categories.

“With commercial and business aviation fleets expected to see double digit increases over the next 10 years, the industry must take action to attract, train, and retain personnel.

“Highly skilled aviation professionals are not just a necessity for the safety of the air transport system, they are the foundation for the successful expansion and resilience of the global aviation sector.

“To meet the demand, the industry needs to be proactive and creative. Adaptability and optimised training will be key to supplying the demand.”

CAE says as well as attracting talent firms must ensure qualified candidates make it through graduation and into the workforce.

Across all professions covered in the 2025 forecast, dropout and failure rates are “higher than they should be,” CAE said.

In the US, almost a third of paid air traffic control students do not complete their training, according to the National Airspace System Safety Review Team.

Cloutier added: “We need a comprehensive training environment that caters to the way new generations learn and thrive.

“At CAE, part of our solution is investing significantly in innovation and technology. Some of our latest advancements include CAE’s immersive pilot training app using Apple Vision Pro, and the CAE Prodigy Image Generator, our ultra-realistic 3D visual system using gaming technology.”

The Aviation Talent Forecast is a strategic tool for stakeholders across the aviation ecosystem which analyses the upcoming talent demand, the drivers behind that demand, and actionable strategies the industry can adopt to attract and retain talent.

The report also offers insightful perspectives on the industry’s transformation through advanced training, sustainable practices, and diverse talent acquisition.

It also underscores how technology, sustainability, and diversity are shaping the future of the industry and strengthening the talent pipeline.

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