A widening shortage of certified aircraft mechanics is emerging as one of the biggest constraints on the growing aviation maintenance sector, according to survey findings tied to Oliver Wyman research. The analysis forecasts a shortfall of about 17,800 certified mechanics in the United States for 2025, a gap expected to expand to roughly 22,000 by 2027 as demand for maintenance work outpaces the supply of trained technicians.

The labor gap arrives as maintenance volumes rise. An aging global fleet and delayed deliveries of new aircraft are keeping older jets in service longer, increasing the number of check cycles, component overhauls, and parts replacements that shops must perform. That demand has pushed up both parts prices and labor costs, straining maintenance providers already competing for scarce talent.

Supply chain pressure adds to the squeeze. Industry assessments point to parts availability and long lead times as factors throttling the expansion of maintenance capacity, leaving some providers unable to grow as fast as demand would allow. The combination of workforce shortages and constrained supply chains is extending turnaround times on some maintenance work.

The figures highlight a structural challenge for carriers and repair stations alike. Closing a deficit of tens of thousands of mechanics requires sustained investment in training pipelines, apprenticeships, and technical education. Without a faster inflow of certified technicians, the sector risks bottlenecks that push maintenance costs higher and lengthen the time aircraft spend out of service.

Source: Consulting.us -- https://www.consulting.us/news/13447/shortages-high-costs-loom-over-growing-aviation-maintenance-sector-oliver-wyman-survey