So often, when people think of aviation careers, they picture pilots at the controls or flight attendants in the cabin. But behind every safe flight lies an entire ecosystem of professionals — engineers, air traffic controllers, technicians, cybersecurity experts, and policy makers — all of whom must keep pace with an industry evolving at unprecedented speed.
In Durban, South Africa, during the ICAO Next Generation Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Global Summit, which was co-hosted by ICAO and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) under the leadership of South Africa’s Department of Transport, we addressed aviation’s most urgent resource needs: tackling global workforce shortages, preparing for new technologies, and ensuring that future professionals are equipped with the skills to keep aviation resilient and sustainable It was an event that brought together young professionals, educators, regulators, and industry leaders from across the globe to shape a resilient and inclusive future for aviation talent.
The opening session got straight to business: aviation is facing a critical and complex workforce crisis. Labour shortages, competition from other industries, and shifting demographics are converging just as new technologies like AI, automation, and advanced air mobility are redefining the very nature of work in aviation.
The first panel emphasized that unless the sector transitions from reactive hiring to predictive, skills-based planning, the global system risks falling behind. The conversation underscored one clear message: meeting the future demand for aviation talent will require urgent leadership, bold policy decisions, and a cultural shift toward inclusivity and innovation.
Key insights from this session
Moderated by Luvuyo Gqeke, Permanent Representative of South Africa on the ICAO Council, the session featured perspectives from:
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Yiliang Chen, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
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Victoire Jarcin, Airports Council International (ACI) World
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Milena Bowman, EUROCONTROL
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Ahmed Al Ketbi, Air Traffic Services Training
Together, they outlined the scale of the challenge and the leadership actions required to respond.
Highlights included:
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The urgent need to move from job-based forecasting to skills-based planning supported by AI and data-driven tools.
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Recognition that only 11.7% of the global population has flown, highlighting the importance of early exposure to aviation careers.
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The critical role of inclusive leadership in bridging generational divides and embracing diversity.
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Calls for targeted investment in infrastructure and skills for developing States to keep pace with technological change.
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Preparing for “Aviation 3.0” by equipping future professionals with skills in AI, cybersecurity, autonomous operations, and high-voltage systems.
Calls to Action
The panel concluded with a set of actionable recommendations:
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Transition to predictive, skills-based workforce planning.
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Expand early engagement and outreach in schools and underserved communities.
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Promote inclusive leadership and cultural change to foster collaboration between people and technology.
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Provide targeted support for developing States to close infrastructure and skills gaps.
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Adapt training and certification systems to prepare professionals for Aviation 3.0.
Why this matters
This opening session set the tone for the Summit by underscoring the scale and urgency of the workforce crisis. It also aligned strongly with ICAO’s NGAP Master Call to Action, reinforcing the need for national strategies, intersectoral coordination, and harmonized global frameworks to build the aviation workforce of the future. We are sharing the full recording of this and all sessions that took place during the 2025 NGAP Summit.
Watch the full recording of Session 1 on ICAO TV to hear directly from the panelists on how States, industry, and academia can work together to tackle this challenge.
