Future Scope of aircraft maintenance engineering?

Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) has robust future prospects driven by global fleet expansion and India’s aviation boom. Demand for skilled AMEs is surging worldwide and especially in India, fueled by MRO growth and new technologies.

Global Outlook

The world will need over 600,000 new aircraft maintenance engineers in the next two decades due to fleet growth. The global MRO market is projected to reach $116 billion by 2029, creating opportunities in predictive maintenance, electric aircraft, and AI diagnostics.

India-Specific Growth

India, the 3rd largest domestic aviation market, plans to induct 1,700–2,000 new aircraft by 2030, requiring over 30,000 trained AMEs. The domestic MRO market is expected to hit $4.3 billion by 2025, tripling by FY2028, with further growth to $6.9 billion by 2030 at 11.8% CAGR.

Employment Data

Metric	Projection	Source
Global AME Demand	600,000+ by 2040s	​
India Aircraft Fleet	+2,000 by 2030	​
India MRO Revenue	$4.3B (2025), Triple by 2028
India AME Jobs	30,000+ needed soon

Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) in India and globally is poised for exponential growth, backed by fleet expansions, policy reforms, and tech advancements. Detailed forecasts show India’s MRO sector surging ahead of global averages, creating tens of thousands of high-skill jobs.

India MRO Projections

India’s aircraft MRO market was valued at $3.48 billion in 2024 and is forecast to reach $6.89 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 11.8%—far exceeding the global 3-6% rate. Revenue could jump 50% to ~$518 million (₹45 billion) in 2026 alone, driven by a 20-25% domestic fleet increase and policy incentives like GST reductions on components.

Global MRO Landscape

The global commercial aircraft MRO market will expand from $118.1 billion in 2025 to $163.4 billion by 2035 (CAGR 3.3%), with demand for 600,000+ technicians amid aging fleets and new deliveries. Aviation MRO is projected to hit $88.69 billion in 2026 (CAGR 6.8% from 2025).

ob and Fleet Data

Aspect	India Forecast	Global Forecast	Source
MRO Market Size	$6.89B by 2030 (CAGR 11.8%)	$163.4B by 2035 (CAGR 3.3%)
Revenue Growth	+50% to $518M in 2026	$88.69B in 2026 (CAGR 6.8%)
New Jobs	25,000–30,000 skilled AMEs	600,000+ technicians
Fleet Additions	+2,000 aircraft by 2030	N/A	​

Driving Factors in India

Government initiatives like “Make in India,” UDAN, and MRO clusters (e.g., Nagpur, Bengaluru) aim to capture 50% of Asia’s MRO by 2030, reducing 90% import reliance. New facilities from IndiGo, Air India, and HAL, plus talent from DGCA-approved institutes, will support this.

Technological Shifts

Future AMEs will specialize in AI predictive analytics, digital twins for engine health, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) compatibility, and eVTOL/hybrid maintenance—creating niches with 20-30% higher salaries. India’s young workforce positions it as a global hub for these innovations.