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Spanner in the Works: Why the Aircraft Engineer and Technician Shortage Still Threatens Aviation in 2025

  • hollybirmingham
  • Aug 13
  • 2 min read

The aviation sector has spent the past few years focused on recovery. Airlines, MROs, and OEMs have been rebuilding capacity, responding to increased demand, and expanding operations following the post-pandemic resurgence. Yet, a persistent and under-addressed issue continues to hinder progress across the industry: the shortage of licensed aircraft engineers and maintenance technicians.


In 2023, we published a white paper that explored this growing challenge. It examined the root causes, including an aging workforce, limited training infrastructure, and increasing competition for engineering talent from outside the sector. At that time, the lasting impact of COVID-19 was still being felt across technical workforces worldwide.


Now, in 2025, the situation remains critical.


Aircraft engine


Aircraft fleets are expanding, new technologies are entering service, and maintenance demand continues to rise. But the teams responsible for ensuring airworthiness across commercial operators, MRO providers, and manufacturers are struggling to keep up.


At AeroProfessional, we continue to see these challenges reflected in hiring activity and client conversations across the industry. Engineering and technician roles remain among the most difficult to recruit for, particularly those requiring B1 and B2 licenses. Employers are contending with increased competition, longer time-to-hire, and a shrinking pool of experienced candidates.


Several persistent factors are contributing to this shortfall:

  • Many engineers who left during the pandemic have not returned

  • Younger generations are hesitant to enter the profession due to long qualification timelines, high training costs, and job security concerns

  • Training capacity and funding have not scaled to match demand

  • Other sectors, such as defence, tech, and energy, continue to attract engineering talent away from aviation


The effects are now being felt across the board. Delays, increased maintenance costs, and pressure on existing teams are common among operators and service providers alike. While pilot and cabin crew shortages tend to receive more public attention, the lack of engineers and technicians is quietly becoming one of the most serious threats to aviation's operational stability.


Addressing this issue will take more than short-term hiring campaigns. The industry needs to invest in future-proofing its technical workforce. That includes widening entry pathways, modernising training approaches, building more visible and attractive career journeys, and expanding outreach to underrepresented groups.


Our 2023 white paper explores these topics in depth and offers insights into what must change to support a more sustainable future for aircraft maintenance and engineering.



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