Industry outlook data for 2026 highlights a growing gap between rising maintenance demand and the workforce available to perform it. While the market expands, the supply of certified technicians is emerging as the sector's most pressing long-term constraint.

US aircraft MRO revenue reached about 26.9 billion dollars in 2026, expanding at a compound annual growth rate near 2.6 percent over the current period. Globally, analysts place the market near 97 billion dollars in 2026, up from roughly 91 billion dollars in 2025. On the labor side, the International Air Transport Association projects the global industry will need about 716,000 maintenance technicians by 2042 to keep pace with fleet growth and retirements.

The workforce figure underscores why staffing, training pipelines, and technician retention dominate strategic planning across the maintenance base. Aging fleets, new aircraft delivery backlogs, and supply chain volatility all increase the hours of work that must be performed, while the pool of qualified labor grows more slowly. The data points to a structural imbalance that shops are addressing through apprenticeships, automation of routine tasks, and partnerships with technical schools. For US operators, the technician shortage translates into longer maintenance turn times and higher labor costs.

Source: Precision Aviation Group - https://www.precisionaviationgroup.com/publications/aviation-mro-growth/