The aviation industry is facing an escalating pilot shortage, with new estimates projecting the need for 649,000-674,000 pilots between 2024 and 2043—significantly higher than previous forecasts. This growing demand stems from multiple factors, including rapid airline expansion, pilot retirements, rising salaries, global competition, and increasing travel demand.

1. Rapid Airline Expansion Fuels Demand for Pilots

Airlines worldwide are expanding at an unprecedented pace, intensifying the shortage. In 2024 alone, Airbus delivered 766 commercial aircraft, with many allocated to European carriers. Each new aircraft requires multiple flight crews—typically ten pilots per aircraft, comprising five Captains and five First Officers.

“To meet this demand, airlines are increasingly adopting Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL) training programs,” explains aviation expert Mazeika. “This training approach, developed in partnership with airlines, offers a streamlined path for new pilots, ensuring they are prepared for operational demands more efficiently than traditional training methods.”

2. Aging Workforce Accelerates Pilot Shortages

The aviation industry is experiencing a wave of retirements, further straining the talent pool. The FAA projects approximately 4,300 pilot retirements annually through 2042. European airlines are also seeing similar trends, prompting them to accelerate recruitment and ease certain selection criteria. For instance, legacy carriers that previously required fluency in a national language are now revising this prerequisite to attract a broader talent pool.

Despite ongoing recruitment efforts, the FAA’s 2023 Pilot Workforce Analysis indicates that the number of new pilots entering the industry is insufficient to offset retirements and meet expansion needs. Some estimates suggest a shortfall of 5,000-7,000 pilots per year.

“So, on one hand, airlines are rapidly expanding their fleets, while on the other, retirements are outpacing new pilot entries,” says Mazeika. “This creates the perfect scenario for rising salaries.”

3. Surge in Pilot Salaries Shows No Signs of Slowing

Over the past few years, pilot salaries have risen significantly due to increased demand. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, First Officers in Europe earned between €21,600 and €72,000 annually. By early 2023, this had increased to €25,000-€91,000. The trend continued in 2024, with salaries reaching €51,000-€97,000—a near doubling of the lower range in just one year.

Chief Pilots saw even steeper increases. In 2024, they earned between €120,000 and €270,000—an impressive 49.46% jump from the previous year’s range of €61,000-€200,000. Industry experts anticipate continued salary growth in 2025 and beyond due to the persistent shortage of skilled pilots.

4. Fierce Competition for Pilots Among Airlines

As airlines struggle to secure experienced pilots, competition has intensified. Some carriers are offering significantly higher pay to attract pilots from competitors. According to The Times, easyJet has offered up to £191,000 for Captains, while British Airways offers around £138,000. However, British Airways provides a lower retirement age of 55 compared to easyJet’s 65, using early retirement as a recruitment incentive. They also offer long-haul transition opportunities, which promise higher future salaries.

“But salaries alone aren’t the deciding factor,” notes Mazeika. “Pilots also consider work-life balance, retirement benefits, and career growth opportunities. Airlines are crafting increasingly attractive offers to lure talent.”

New airlines in Asia and the Middle East are aggressively entering the market, often offering above-market salaries to attract pilots. This approach creates a ripple effect, driving up wages across the industry.

5. Growing Travel Demand Intensifies the Shortage

Global travel demand is rebounding faster than expected, with a projected 4.3% annual growth rate over the next 20 years. Airlines are increasing flight frequencies and expanding routes to accommodate this surge. For instance, Ryanair recently surpassed 20 million monthly passengers, highlighting the booming demand.

Initially, many experts believed air travel would take years to recover from the pandemic. However, by 2024, European airports welcomed over 5 billion passengers—a 7.4% increase from 2023—exceeding 2019 levels by 1.8%.

The Bottom Line

The upward trend in pilot salaries reflects deeper industry challenges. A combination of airline expansion, retirements, increasing travel demand, and heightened competition among carriers ensures that pilot wages will continue rising.

“In the short term, airlines will continue competing fiercely for available pilots, leading to sustained salary increases,” Mazeika concludes. “However, for long-term stability, airlines must invest in comprehensive training and development programs to ensure a steady influx of new pilots.”

About BAA Training

BAA Training is a leading international aviation training organization operating across Europe, Asia Pacific, and Africa. As a member of Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest global ACMI provider, BAA Training offers extensive pilot training solutions. The organization operates simulator centers in Spain, France, Lithuania, and Vietnam, a global sales office in Dubai, and major pilot consultancy centers in India.

Annually, BAA Training facilitates approximately 100,000 flight hours through its FFS/FTD training programs and provides Type Rating training for over 1,200 pilots, serving more than 100 airlines and 300 private customers. As one of Europe’s EASA-approved training organizations, BAA Training offers ATPL Integrated, CPL Modular, cadet, and MPL programs. The company also operates full-flight simulators for Airbus A320, Boeing 737 MAX, Boeing 737 NG, Boeing 737 CL, and Boeing B747-400 types, while maintaining access to over 60 partner simulator locations worldwide.

About Avia Solutions Group

BAA Training is part of Avia Solutions Group, an Ireland-based global aviation leader. Avia Solutions Group is the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider, managing a fleet of 221 aircraft across six continents. The group also delivers a broad range of aviation services, including MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul), pilot and crew training, ground handling, and various specialized services. With a workforce of 14,000 aviation professionals, Avia Solutions Group operates in 68 countries worldwide.

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