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:
- Off-Wing
Maintenance (2045: US$217 billion, +3.7% CAGR) – Doubling in value driven
by an increasing number of shop visits due to aging and growing global
fleet. Material supply is significant reflecting demand for parts support
and repair. - Maintenance
Operations Support (2045: US$104 billion, +4.3% CAGR) – The addition of
this new cluster includes inventory provision on time and on quality and
engineering support to ensure continued airworthiness and aircraft
reliability. - On-Wing
Maintenance (2045: US$36 billion, +2.8% CAGR) – Covering light inspections
to heavy checks and growing in line with the overall growing global fleet. - Digital
& Connectivity (2045: US$27 billion, +5.3% CAGR) – The fastest-growing
market, this is expected to triple over the next two decades. - Modifications
& Upgrades (2045: US$21 billion, +2.6% CAGR) – Upgrades of older
aircraft through cabin retrofits and modern technology integration. - Training
(2045: US$17 billion, +3.1% CAGR) – Addressing a massive new workforce
requirement, the industry must intensify efforts to attract and train new
talent.
“As the global fleet doubles to more than 45,550 aircraft
by 2045, we need to get ready. Airbus is expanding its role as an integral
services partner to support our customers across the entire aircraft lifecycle.
By integrating predictive operations, fleet modernisation, and advanced digital
solutions, we are helping airlines ensure fleet availability, reliability,
safety and long-term operational excellence,” highlights Cristina
Aguilar Grieder, SVP Customer Services Commercial Aircraft at Airbus.
In the next 20 years, Europe & CIS, North America and China will remain the
largest services markets in terms of total demand, while Asia (Asia-Pacific,
China and South Asia) is projected to be the fastest growing. The Airbus GSF is
aircraft agnostic, focusing on passenger jets with a capacity exceeding 100
seats and freighters with a payload capability above 10 tonnes.
Source: Airbus
