Short answer: dozens of people who never fly work on every commercial flight. The roles with the clearest demand in 2026 are aircraft maintenance technicians, ground handling professionals, air traffic controllers and Flight Operations Officers (FOOs). Many of these roles take months of training, not years.
How many people will aviation need in the coming years?
Boeing estimates that commercial aviation will need 2,425,000 new professionals between 2026 and 2045. The figure comes from its Pilot & Technician Outlook 2026–2045, published in July: 674,000 pilots, 728,000 maintenance technicians and 1,023,000 cabin crew.
In its ‘Eurasia’ region, which includes Europe, Boeing forecasts 571,000 new professionals over the same period.
CAE, a Canadian training company, makes a 10-year forecast. Its 2025 Aviation Talent Forecast points to 1,465,000 professionals by 2034 and, for the first time, counts 71,000 air traffic controllers.
None of these forecasts counts flight operations, ground handling or air cargo. Those roles grow with the number of flights.
Is there really a pilot shortage in Europe?
Not across the board. According to the European Labour Authority, ‘there is currently no widespread pilot shortage in the EU’: four countries report a shortage and four report a surplus.
For cabin crew, Portugal is one of seven countries reporting a surplus. The same report says the pressure is greater on engineering and ground staff.
For anyone choosing a career, that changes the question. Instead of ‘which job is best known?’, ask ‘where do airlines and airports struggle to hire?’.
Where is hiring hardest?
Data from 2025 and 2026 points to three areas:
1. Air traffic control.
In summer 2026, ‘capacity and staffing’ caused 49% of en-route delays in Europe, according to EUROCONTROL. The agency lists ‘continuous ATCO recruitment’ among its priorities for 2027.
2. Ground handling.
3. Maintenance.
In January 2026, IATA named ‘limited maintenance capacity’ as one of airlines’ biggest supply-chain problems.
Which aviation jobs do not require pilot training?
| Role | What it does | Typical Training in Portugal | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight Operations Officer (FOO) | Plans the flight with the captain and monitors it from the ground. | ANAC-certified course, about 7 months + 90-working-day internship | ANAC Licence |
| Ground Handling Operations Agent | Check-in, boarding, ramp, baggage, turnaround coordination | 3 to 6 months | EASA ground handling rules from 2028 |
| Loadmaster | Plans aircraft loading, weight and balance | About 6 months | IATA Standards and Applicable Procedures |
| Aircraft Maintenance Technician | Inspects and repairs aircraft | Part-66 licence, several years | EASA Licence |
| Air Traffic Controller | Separates and guides traffic in the air and on the ground | Selection and training provided by NAV Portugal. | EASA licence |
For pilots already flying, there is a new field: cybersecurity in aviation, with European rules in force since 2026. We explain it in this guide.
How long does it take to get into aviation?
It depends on the role. A ground handling programme takes 3 to 6 months, internship included. The FOO licence takes about a year, between training and internship. Pilots, maintenance technicians and controllers need two years or more.
For young people who have finished Year 9 in Portugal, the Ground Handling Operations, Level 4 (TTAE) vocational course lasts three years and is equivalent to Year 12.
Is aviation still growing?
Yes, more slowly. Europe’s airports handled about 2.6 billion passengers in 2025, a record, according to ACI Europe. In the first half of 2026, traffic grew 2.6%.
EUROCONTROL forecasts 11.3 million flights in Europe in 2026 and about 12.8 million in 2032. Morhttps://iita-aviation.com/en/new-lisbon-airport-tap-aviation-jobs/e flights mean more people on the ground preparing them. The figures for Portugal are in this article.
Where should you start?
Start with a practical question: how much time can you invest before you start working? If the answer is months, flight operations and ground handling are the shortest routes.
IITA has applications open for three programmes:
- Flight Operations Officer License (CAA-Certified), ANAC-certified and delivered by AWA (Aeronautical Web Academy). Starts 26 October 2026.
- Ground Handling Operations ‘Job Ready’ programme, in the Ramp module, the Check-in module or the Full programme (Ramp + Check-in), online and after working hours, with no prior experience required.
- Introduction to Cybersecurity in Aviation for Pilots, with APPLA, online and after working hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a degree to work in aviation?
Not for most ground roles. IATA confirms that no degree is needed to start in ground operations. The FOO licence requires Year 12 with Maths and Physics.
What is the quickest way into an airport job?
Ground handling. The Check-in module of the Ground Handling Operations ‘Job Ready’ programme takes about 3 months, plus a 1-month internship.
Does aviation need more pilots or more ground staff?
In the EU, the latest data shows no widespread pilot shortage. Pressure is greater in air traffic control, maintenance and ground handling.
Do I need English?
Yes, for most roles. English is the operational language of aviation. The FOO licence requires proof of English.
Sources
- Boeing, Pilot & Technician Outlook 2026–2045, July 2026
- CAE, 2025 Aviation Talent Forecast, 16 June 2025
- European Labour Authority, Sector analysis on air transport, 2025
- EUROCONTROL, Special Summer 2026 Flash Briefing, 11 September 2026
- EUROCONTROL, Forecast Update 2026–2032, 26 March 2026
- EASA, new ground handling rules, 7 March 2025
- IATA, ground handling survey, 16 May 2023; 2025 results, 29 January 2026
- ACI Europe, 2025 traffic, 5 February 2026; H1 2026, 30 July 2026
- IATA, What it takes to become a ramp supervisor, 26 November 2025
