GITNUXREPORT 2025

Pilot Shortage Statistics

Global pilot shortage nears 50,000 by 2030, risking industry growth.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The percentage of female pilots remains low at around 7%, impacting diversity in the pilot workforce

Statistic 2

Only about 5% of pilots worldwide are women, highlighting gender disparity in the industry

Statistic 3

Approximately 60% of airline pilots are over the age of 50, indicating an impending retirement wave

Statistic 4

The number of licensed airline pilots in the U.S. dropped by nearly 8% between 2019 and 2022

Statistic 5

COVID-19 pandemic contributed to over 20,000 pilot retirements worldwide

Statistic 6

The average age of airline pilots in the U.S. is approximately 50 years, indicating upcoming retirements

Statistic 7

The average pilot career span is around 20-25 years, but many are retiring early due to burnout and health issues

Statistic 8

The U.S. military pilot attrition rate exceeds 20% annually, reducing available pilots for commercial aviation

Statistic 9

The retirement of Baby Boomer pilots is expected to create a backlog of 25,000 pilots over the next decade in North America alone

Statistic 10

The average age of pilots at major carriers is 50+, indicating upcoming retirements and industry attrition

Statistic 11

The airline industry has launched several initiatives, including scholarships and cadet programs, to attract younger pilots, with over 10,000 scholarships awarded globally since 2020

Statistic 12

The youngest commercial pilots are increasingly in their 20s due to accelerated training programs, but retention remains challenging amid industry pressures

Statistic 13

The COVID-19 pandemic caused some airlines to implement mandatory retirement age reductions to manage pilot supply, affecting operational capacity

Statistic 14

The global pilot shortage is projected to reach over 34,000 pilots by 2025

Statistic 15

The U.S. pilot shortage is expected to reach over 12,000 pilots by 2023

Statistic 16

The FAA predicts a need for approximately 8,000 new pilots annually over the next decade just to meet demand

Statistic 17

Flight training schools report a 30% decrease in enrollment since 2019, impacting future pilot supply

Statistic 18

Major airline carriers have increased starting pilot salaries by approximately 20% in 2023 to attract new pilots

Statistic 19

Regional airlines report up to 25% of pilot positions vacant, affecting regional routes and services

Statistic 20

The global pilot demand gap could reach 50,000 by 2030, according to Boeing’s Pilot Outlook report

Statistic 21

Pilot attrition rates are estimated at approximately 10-12% annually across various airlines

Statistic 22

The FAA reports a backlog of over 2,500 pilot certification applications due to staffing shortages

Statistic 23

U.S. regional airlines face a pilot shortage of approximately 3,000 pilots, threatening regional connectivity

Statistic 24

The global cargo airline market faces a pilot shortage of approximately 2,500 pilots, impacting freight capacity

Statistic 25

The Mars with COVID-19 pandemic led to a 15% decrease in pilot training hours globally, constraining supply

Statistic 26

The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing a pilot demand increase of roughly 6.5% annually, outpacing supply

Statistic 27

Airline capacity reductions due to pilot shortages have resulted in an estimated $15 billion loss in revenue worldwide in 2022

Statistic 28

The FAA has approved over 7,000 new pilot certificates in the last year as demand climbs, but this is still insufficient to meet industry needs

Statistic 29

U.S. airlines are increasing their pilot hiring plans by approximately 20% in 2023 to address the shortage

Statistic 30

The pilot shortage is forecasted to worsen as the commercial airline industry expects to grow at an annual rate of 4% over the next decade

Statistic 31

The number of applicants for pilot training programs decreased by 18% during the pandemic, reducing the future pipeline

Statistic 32

The career progression for pilots is narrowing due to shortages, leading to faster promotions and hiring from within

Statistic 33

The global drone pilot market is growing, but it does not directly impact commercial airline pilot shortages; however, it indicates increasing demand for qualified pilots

Statistic 34

Many regions, such as Africa and Latin America, face a pilot shortfall of over 500 pilots annually due to infrastructure and educational limitations

Statistic 35

The increasing use of automation and AI in cockpits is expected to change pilot demand dynamics, potentially reducing some short-term needs but increasing requirements for tech-savvy pilots

Statistic 36

A growing number of pilots are choosing to pursue freelancing and contract work, which affects traditional pilot hiring models

Statistic 37

Pilot mental health and burnout are increasingly recognized as factors impacting industry staffing, contributing to shortages

Statistic 38

The number of aviation training academies worldwide increased by 15% over the last five years, with more focus on addressing pilot shortages

Statistic 39

The international pilot demand for cargo and passenger airlines combined is expected to grow by 4.5% annually through 2030, exacerbating the pilot shortage

Statistic 40

The average salary for first officers at major airlines in the U.S. has risen from around $50,000 to over $80,000 since 2018 to attract new entrants

Statistic 41

Pilot retention programs, including signing bonuses and improved scheduling, have increased pilot retention rates by approximately 12% since 2021

Statistic 42

The pilot training cost can exceed $100,000, discouraging many prospective pilots

Statistic 43

The average tuition for flight training in the U.S. is around $85,000, which is a barrier for many aspiring pilots

Statistic 44

the cost of becoming a commercial pilot in Europe averages €70,000, preventing many from pursuing a career

Statistic 45

The number of pilot hours required for an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license increased by 15% in recent years, raising training barriers

Statistic 46

Flight schools have started offering deferred payment options to attract more students amid rising training costs

Statistic 47

Investment in pilot training infrastructure has increased by over 25% globally over the last three years to meet future demand

Statistic 48

Pilot training hours required for new entrants in Europe have increased by 10% in recent years, complicating entry pathways

Slide 1 of 48

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Key Highlights

The global pilot shortage is projected to reach over 34,000 pilots by 2025
The U.S. pilot shortage is expected to reach over 12,000 pilots by 2023
Approximately 60% of airline pilots are over the age of 50, indicating an impending retirement wave
The number of licensed airline pilots in the U.S. dropped by nearly 8% between 2019 and 2022
COVID-19 pandemic contributed to over 20,000 pilot retirements worldwide
The FAA predicts a need for approximately 8,000 new pilots annually over the next decade just to meet demand
The average age of airline pilots in the U.S. is approximately 50 years, indicating upcoming retirements
Flight training schools report a 30% decrease in enrollment since 2019, impacting future pilot supply
The pilot training cost can exceed $100,000, discouraging many prospective pilots
Major airline carriers have increased starting pilot salaries by approximately 20% in 2023 to attract new pilots
Regional airlines report up to 25% of pilot positions vacant, affecting regional routes and services
The percentage of female pilots remains low at around 7%, impacting diversity in the pilot workforce
The global pilot demand gap could reach 50,000 by 2030, according to Boeing’s Pilot Outlook report

The skies are facing turbulence as a global pilot shortage, projected to exceed 34,000 pilots by 2025, threatens to grounded growth, with industry figures warning of a looming retirement wave, rising training costs, and unprecedented recruitment challenges.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Gender Representation

The percentage of female pilots remains low at around 7%, impacting diversity in the pilot workforce
Only about 5% of pilots worldwide are women, highlighting gender disparity in the industry

Diversity, Inclusion, and Gender Representation Interpretation

With women comprising just around 5-7% of pilots worldwide, the skies remain largely a male dominion, highlighting a pressing need for more diverse and inclusive cockpit crews.

Pilot Workforce Demographics and Age Trends

Approximately 60% of airline pilots are over the age of 50, indicating an impending retirement wave
The number of licensed airline pilots in the U.S. dropped by nearly 8% between 2019 and 2022
COVID-19 pandemic contributed to over 20,000 pilot retirements worldwide
The average age of airline pilots in the U.S. is approximately 50 years, indicating upcoming retirements
The average pilot career span is around 20-25 years, but many are retiring early due to burnout and health issues
The U.S. military pilot attrition rate exceeds 20% annually, reducing available pilots for commercial aviation
The retirement of Baby Boomer pilots is expected to create a backlog of 25,000 pilots over the next decade in North America alone
The average age of pilots at major carriers is 50+, indicating upcoming retirements and industry attrition
The airline industry has launched several initiatives, including scholarships and cadet programs, to attract younger pilots, with over 10,000 scholarships awarded globally since 2020
The youngest commercial pilots are increasingly in their 20s due to accelerated training programs, but retention remains challenging amid industry pressures
The COVID-19 pandemic caused some airlines to implement mandatory retirement age reductions to manage pilot supply, affecting operational capacity

Pilot Workforce Demographics and Age Trends Interpretation

With over 60% of pilots edging past 50 and annual retirements skyrocketing, the airline industry faces a precarious pilot pipeline resembling a delicate runway—critical, congested, and in dire need of new recruits to avoid a potential crash in the skies.

Supply and Demand Dynamics in the Airline Industry

The global pilot shortage is projected to reach over 34,000 pilots by 2025
The U.S. pilot shortage is expected to reach over 12,000 pilots by 2023
The FAA predicts a need for approximately 8,000 new pilots annually over the next decade just to meet demand
Flight training schools report a 30% decrease in enrollment since 2019, impacting future pilot supply
Major airline carriers have increased starting pilot salaries by approximately 20% in 2023 to attract new pilots
Regional airlines report up to 25% of pilot positions vacant, affecting regional routes and services
The global pilot demand gap could reach 50,000 by 2030, according to Boeing’s Pilot Outlook report
Pilot attrition rates are estimated at approximately 10-12% annually across various airlines
The FAA reports a backlog of over 2,500 pilot certification applications due to staffing shortages
U.S. regional airlines face a pilot shortage of approximately 3,000 pilots, threatening regional connectivity
The global cargo airline market faces a pilot shortage of approximately 2,500 pilots, impacting freight capacity
The Mars with COVID-19 pandemic led to a 15% decrease in pilot training hours globally, constraining supply
The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing a pilot demand increase of roughly 6.5% annually, outpacing supply
Airline capacity reductions due to pilot shortages have resulted in an estimated $15 billion loss in revenue worldwide in 2022
The FAA has approved over 7,000 new pilot certificates in the last year as demand climbs, but this is still insufficient to meet industry needs
U.S. airlines are increasing their pilot hiring plans by approximately 20% in 2023 to address the shortage
The pilot shortage is forecasted to worsen as the commercial airline industry expects to grow at an annual rate of 4% over the next decade
The number of applicants for pilot training programs decreased by 18% during the pandemic, reducing the future pipeline
The career progression for pilots is narrowing due to shortages, leading to faster promotions and hiring from within
The global drone pilot market is growing, but it does not directly impact commercial airline pilot shortages; however, it indicates increasing demand for qualified pilots
Many regions, such as Africa and Latin America, face a pilot shortfall of over 500 pilots annually due to infrastructure and educational limitations
The increasing use of automation and AI in cockpits is expected to change pilot demand dynamics, potentially reducing some short-term needs but increasing requirements for tech-savvy pilots
A growing number of pilots are choosing to pursue freelancing and contract work, which affects traditional pilot hiring models
Pilot mental health and burnout are increasingly recognized as factors impacting industry staffing, contributing to shortages
The number of aviation training academies worldwide increased by 15% over the last five years, with more focus on addressing pilot shortages
The international pilot demand for cargo and passenger airlines combined is expected to grow by 4.5% annually through 2030, exacerbating the pilot shortage
The average salary for first officers at major airlines in the U.S. has risen from around $50,000 to over $80,000 since 2018 to attract new entrants
Pilot retention programs, including signing bonuses and improved scheduling, have increased pilot retention rates by approximately 12% since 2021

Supply and Demand Dynamics in the Airline Industry Interpretation

With global pilot shortages forecasted to hit over 50,000 by 2030—despite rising salaries, enhanced retention efforts, and a burgeoning training sector—the airline industry finds itself caught in a turbulent flight path where demand for qualified pilots outstrips supply, threatening to ground regional routes and waste $15 billion in revenue if swift action isn't taken.

Training Costs and Infrastructure Development

The pilot training cost can exceed $100,000, discouraging many prospective pilots
The average tuition for flight training in the U.S. is around $85,000, which is a barrier for many aspiring pilots
the cost of becoming a commercial pilot in Europe averages €70,000, preventing many from pursuing a career
The number of pilot hours required for an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license increased by 15% in recent years, raising training barriers
Flight schools have started offering deferred payment options to attract more students amid rising training costs
Investment in pilot training infrastructure has increased by over 25% globally over the last three years to meet future demand
Pilot training hours required for new entrants in Europe have increased by 10% in recent years, complicating entry pathways

Training Costs and Infrastructure Development Interpretation

With training costs soaring beyond $100,000 and hours required climbing 15%, aspiring pilots face not only sky-high expenses but also steeper climbs into the cockpit, transforming the dream of flight into a high-stakes financial ascent.