- Mechanics shortage worries air traffic
Shortage of aircraft mechanics becomes a concern for international air traffic
The Alliance estimates that the feared shortage of aircraft mechanics has now become a reality, as warned a few years ago. This could not only prolong repair times, according to experts from Allianz Commercial, a subsidiary specializing in industrial and corporate clients, in a recent report. A "clear concern" is that the skills shortage, despite air traffic control systems, could lead to an accident.
Five-digit number of mechanics missing in North America alone
The Alliance refers to estimates that alone in North America, 12,000 to 18,000 aircraft mechanics are missing. In the past two years, the shortage of pilots was more of a topic, as many airlines had also reduced their flying personnel during the pandemic. Many airlines have now hired new pilots, but there is a lack of ground technicians. The background is the unexpectedly strong revival of air traffic after the end of the Corona pandemic, with economists expecting a new record in global passenger numbers this year.
Crashes have become rare
"Accident" does not necessarily mean "crash". In 2021, no passenger aircraft crashed worldwide. According to data from the insurer "Collision", nearly two-thirds of damage cases in aviation are "collisions". However, this includes not only collisions and crashes, but also bird strikes and landings beyond the end of the runway.
The authors of the analysis, according to the company, evaluated more than 32,000 aviation incidents from 2019 to 2024, totaling around 14 billion euros. Following collisions and related incidents with a share of 63 percent, quality and technical defects (22 percent) ranked second.
Repair costs skyrocket
In addition to the shortage of mechanics, repair costs for aircraft have also increased significantly in the past two years, similar to the trend in car repairs. The authors cite the Boeing 787 as an example, whose fuselage and wings are mainly made of carbon fiber and other composite materials. According to Allianz Commercial, repairs are about four times as expensive as those on aircraft with traditional metal components.
The shortage of aircraft mechanics is not just a concern in international air traffic, but it's also becoming a notable issue in Germany, where the aviation sector is strongly reliant on well-trained mechanics.
The sudden increase in air traffic after the pandemic has put additional pressure on this skills gap, leading to potential delays and increased repair costs.
