Mexico’s Aviation Growth Threatened by Pilot Shortage

Mexico is facing a growing shortage of commercial pilots, putting the expansion of its aviation sector at risk. Boeing’s Pilot and Technician Outlook projects that over 660,000 new pilots will be needed globally over the next 20 years, driven by traffic growth and retirements. In Latin America, more than 37,000 pilots and nearly 134,000 aviation professionals, including technicians and cabin crew, will be required.

In Mexico, the gap is acute. The Mexican Airline Pilots Union (ASPA) estimates the country will need around 6,700 new pilots in the coming years, while local schools graduate only 450–800 annually. In 2023, Mexican airlines carried 118.1 million passengers, up 10.6% year-over-year, highlighting the pressure on crew availability and recruitment.

Training pilots is expensive and lengthy, often exceeding MX$1 million (US$51,370). Many schools lack modern simulators or formal airline partnerships, delaying workforce entry. Graduates must also secure licenses from the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC), adding months to the process.

The shortage is affecting operations as airlines face higher training costs, recruitment challenges, and turnover, while restrictions on hiring foreign pilots limit staffing options.

The Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT) plans to address the shortage in its upcoming 2026 aviation policy, focusing on expanding training capacity, fostering industry partnerships, and supporting professional development.