Aircraft Mechanics Shortage: Challenges and Opportunities

The global airline industry, growing back and beyond pre-Covid levels, is battling various hurdles, including supply chain disruptions, crew shortages, and technical issues like the A320NEO engine problems, forcing nearly 1,000 engines into long shop visits over the next three years. These factors, coupled with the surge in demand, place immense pressure on keeping aircraft in the air. But this requires aircraft maintenance, and there one challenge stands out: the shortage of aircraft mechanics.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many mechanics left the industry, leaving significant voids that cannot be filled quickly. Airlines and MROs in the Middle East and Western countries are now intensifying efforts to attract experienced mechanics from other regions. Governments in places like Australia and Canada support these efforts by offering easy immigration.

Not only do the companies on the receiving end of this global migration pay salaries much higher than in the past, airlines and MROs who see their employees being poached by competitors are also forced to increase salaries to retain them. So, wherever aircraft are maintained, prices of aircraft maintenance will be affected by significant salary increases in this labor-intensive industry.

The Training Challenge: Bridging the Gap

Needless to say that the migration of mechanics across borders doesn't increases overall capacity. The pressure to train new mechanics is immense, particularly in donor countries where the drained capacity needs to be replaced. But migration is not the only reason why especially Asian MROs and airlines might have to shoulder a disproportionally high share of filling the capacity gap. 

The countries draining the capacity from regions with lower salaries often are the ones with demographic challenges, making it more difficult for them to win enough young people for a mechanic’s career.

The expected doubling of the global fleet over the next 20 years, predominantly in Asia, further exacerbates the demand for maintenance. The combination of these factors presents a tremendous challenge, especially for airlines and MROs in emerging markets.

Impact on the Aviation Industry and Beyond

The shortage of aircraft mechanics has far-reaching effects:

• Aircraft maintenance will become more expensive and, at least in the mid-term, scarce.

• Investors are eyeing the industry, but their success hinges on effective training efforts.

"Wherever aircraft are maintained, prices of aircraft maintenance will be affected by significant salary increases in this labor-intensive industry"

• Governments, especially in emerging markets, should seize this opportunity to promote aviation schools and improve English language skills, to help their younger generations to qualify for well-paid jobs in aviation, be it at home or abroad.

• Quality and safety are paramount with the influx of less experienced mechanics. Comprehensive training and efficient workload planning and control, not succumbing to the potentially overwhelming market opportunities, are key to mitigating risks.

Looking to the Future: Will the Shortage Persist?

As the aviation industry moves towards post-COVID levels, the exceptional demand surge is expected to stabilize. Training capacities will increase, and thousands of new mechanics will be hired. While the shortage may not last forever, it will persist for several years as the industry strives to grow the pool of experienced mechanics.

Conclusion

The shortage of aircraft mechanics is a pressing challenge that calls for innovative solutions. While the impact is felt across the industry, opportunities abound for investors, governments, and training institutions to play a vital role in addressing this issue. As the aviation sector continues to rise from the challenges of the pandemic, a concerted effort to nurture and retain skilled mechanics will be essential for a sustained growth and success of the airline industry over the next years.