Aviation: Crew
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the number of additional commercial pilots required by the aviation sector over the next (a) five and (b) ten years.
Answered by Keir Mather
The Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) do not hold data on the recruitment, retirement or other departures of air traffic controllers. Air traffic control providers are responsible for maintaining sufficient operational capacity and qualified personnel, with the CAA providing safety oversight. Since 2022-23, the Civil Aviation Authority has published the number of licensed air traffic controllers in its Annual Report and Accounts.
As the UK aviation sector operates predominantly in the private sector, airlines are responsible for recruiting and training pilots to meet current and future demand. Airlines including British Airways and Jet2.com are expanding training through sponsored cadet programmes and partnerships with approved training organisations. The Department and the CAA do not hold data on applications to, enrolments in, or completions of approved aircraft maintenance engineer training programmes.
The CAA does publish data on holders of British Civil Airworthiness Requirements and Part-66 aircraft maintenance licences, including their age profile. There were nearly 14,000 UK licensed aircraft engineers covering both the commercial and general aviation sectors in 2025. Airports are responsible for decisions on expanding their own training academies and colleges.
The Department engages regularly with airport officials on a range of operational, strategic, and policy matters affecting the sector.
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