The pandemic has completely transformed the travel and tourism sector, impacting not only travellers, but also the professionals who work within the industry. So what does the future hold for both private and commercial aviation jobs? 
The Future of Private and Commercial Aviation Jobs
The past few years have changed everything about modern life as many of us know it – and the travel and tourism industry is no exception. Not only has the pandemic reshaped the way people travel, the destinations they decide to visit and how they conduct themselves when they arrive there, but it has also transformed the scope and requirements of the people working within the industry. After all, it’s these professionals who have to work tirelessly to understand and adapt to travellers’ ever-changing desires and demands.
So what exactly does the future hold for aviation jobs in both the private jet travel and commercial travel sectors?
Fewer commercial aviation jobs
The commercial aviation sector has been the hardest hit in terms of job losses and company closures as a result of the pandemic. Countless would-be travellers have been steering clear of commercial flights and the potential late cancellations and crowded spaces associated with them.
By contrast, the private jet charter sector is recovering much more quickly. Bookings have boomed since borders all around the world re-opened, not least because travellers have started to become more comfortable with the idea of resuming their international adventures.
Of course, private flights offer a massive sense of relief for anyone worried about sitting in a plane surrounded by strangers for hours on end. After all, one of the highlights of booking a private jet is having the freedom to decide who hops on board alongside you. There’s also the added convenience of flying whenever you need to, without any worries about having to endure potential flight delays or cancellations – another common issue for commercial travel.
As a result, many pilots, flight attendants, aircraft fuelers, line-service technicians, and baggage handlers are doing their best to make that jump from commercial to private. This side of the industry is certainly going to promise bigger, better, and brighter prospects for professionals for a long time to come.
Changes in demand for different aviation jobs
Inevitably the demand for certain kinds of aviation jobs will increase and decrease as the industry continues to evolve. For example, there’s sure to be a decline in demand for check-in desk personnel as more airports and airlines introduce more contactless check-in options to eliminate the need for any person-to-person contact. There’s also likely to be a lower demand for flight attendants until the commercial aviation industry returns to pre-pandemic levels.
As for the aviation jobs that are likely to experience an increase in demand, aircraft cleaners are at the top of the list, for obvious reasons. Airlines and airports will likely continue with high levels of cleanliness in their procedures for some time to come. These cleaning processes call for intensive disinfecting procedures and require staff to utilize a variety of equipment and technology to reach the standards that are expected. As such, more cleaning-focused staff members are required to fulfil these needs.
The demand for booking agents has also skyrocketed, as fewer travellers feel confident taking complete control of organizing their own getaways due to the amount of red tape and uncertainty that still surrounds the prospect of travel. Working with a booking agent in their corner provides a traveller with greater peace of mind and helps to make the entire planning process more streamlined and thorough.
A decline in new aviation professionals
It’s a sad reality that many young individuals who may once have had ambitions to become pilots or flight attendants may now be reconsidering their options and working hard to find a plan B. Due to this fact, a steady decline in interest regarding pilot training is expected, with flight schools taking a significant knock over the next few years.
Flight-attendant schools offering cabin-crew training are also likely to suffer. The key here for these establishments is to market the opportunities that have materialized as a direct result of the decline in applications and enrolments. Breaking into the aviation industry and making a lasting impact within it should now be easier and more affordable than ever.
Book a private jet charter with Air Charter Service
Are you looking to charter a private plane for leisure or business? Here at Air Charter Service (ACS,) we value our aviation staff and hire only the best to ensure we’re able to provide our clients with world-class charter services, whatever their requirements.
Contact us at your local ACS office for more information about plane rental or helicopter charter, or to request a quote for an upcoming trip. We also offer a host of specialist solutions, working closely with an array of industries including the automotive industry (for assistance with time-sensitive cargo or transporting key personnel) and emergency response (for secure aircraft charters in a variety of emergencies).