Demand for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and for the people who build the engines and airframes behind it is surging. The workforce needed to meet that demand is not keeping pace.
A market growing faster than its workforce
According to the 2026 Fleet & MRO Market Assessment from the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) and Oliver Wyman, global MRO demand reached $136 billion in 2025, up 8% from $126 billion in 2024. The 2026 market is sized at $139.6 billion, with a forecast of about $193 billion by 2036. Engines are the largest segment at $70.1 billion, followed by airframe ($27.8 billion), components ($24.0 billion) and line maintenance ($17.7 billion).
Behind those numbers is a supply chain that cannot yet deliver new aircraft fast enough. ARSA and Oliver Wyman note that about 17,000 aircraft orders were unfilled at the start of 2026, and that shortages of materials such as composites and titanium, along with tariffs and geopolitical volatility, are expected to constrain production through at least 2030. Airlines are keeping older aircraft flying longer, which pushes more work into hangars and engine shops.
The people gap
The same ARSA report counts 192,044 maintenance employees across 3,988 U.S. civil MRO firms, 84% of them small or medium-sized businesses. About 41% of certified U.S. mechanics are over 60, and roughly 45,000 are expected to retire within a decade. Slower hiring in the 2000s and 2010s has also thinned the pipeline of middle managers ready to step up.
Industry coverage published in August 2026 (AviNews, citing AeroTime) puts the North American shortfall at about 17,000 mechanics, potentially reaching 30,000 by 2028, and cites ARSA estimates of billions in annual losses tied to engine shop backlogs and workforce constraints. Boeing projects a need for 716,000 new technicians globally over 20 years.
Employers are responding, with money and new facilities
- GE Aerospace announced $1 billion in 2026 U.S. manufacturing investment across more than 30 communities in 17 states, and plans to hire about 5,000 U.S. workers in manufacturing and engineering roles, on top of 5,000 hired in 2025. Investments include $200 million for LEAP durability kit capacity.
- Safran’s Querétaro, Mexico hub is adding more than 450 jobs and is planned to test up to 350 engines a year by 2030.
- Lufthansa Technik’s Portugal facility is expected to create about 700 MRO jobs when it opens in 2028.
- FL Technics drew more than 3,500 applicants for about 300 initial positions at its Punta Cana hangar, a sign that well-publicized, well-located opportunities can still attract talent.
- Frontier Airlines and Aims Community College launched a Part 147 program offering a $25,000 signing bonus to eligible graduates.
What it means for candidates
A&P mechanics, avionics technicians, powerplant and composite specialists, quality and manufacturing engineers, and technical sales professionals in aerospace are all operating in a seller’s market. Engine-related skills (GTF, LEAP and legacy platforms) are especially in demand given the shop backlogs. Experienced professionals have leverage; early-career candidates have unusually strong paths into the industry.
What it means for employers
Waiting for candidates to apply is no longer a strategy. Employers that move quickly, make transparent offers, invest in training and retention, and build relationships with specialized recruiters are the ones filling hangars and production lines. Succession planning matters too: with so many senior technicians nearing retirement, knowledge transfer and leadership development need to start now.
Work with Aviation Recruiting
Aviation Recruiting LLC connects employers in aviation manufacturing, repair and overhaul, engineering and sales with the specialized talent they need, and connects aviation professionals with their next opportunity. Whether you are building a team or planning your next move, we would like to hear from you.
