COVID-19 has seen one of the biggest shocks, if not the biggest shock, the aviation industry has ever seen. Fleets have been grounded, borders closed and staff laid off.

In the macro environment, aviation continues to be a high growth industry with passenger numbers expected to increase by over 5% per annum up to 2037, with over 8 billion travellers per annum.

Looking to 2040 in the macro sense, best estimates indicate that over 500,000 new commercial airline pilots will need to be trained to supply the industry with the expected staffing levels.

Aviation stands out as an industry where it is not just business as usual. Events that happen in this space make the ‘front page’.

2020 will certainly be remembered as an ‘annus horribilis’ for the aviation industry. However, the future is full of opportunity - both known and unknown.

Aviation has always had a unique set of attractions and challenges in the context of talent marketing.

Volume recruitment comes with challenges, managing your selection process efficiently, effectively and true to your own employer brand. Watch Aon's webinar on volume recruitment trends.

As with many sectors, the aviation industry is witnessing a shortage of strong talent, forecasted growth and the need to retain skills and knowledge in-house.

"It's true that within the aviation industry everybody just thinks about pilots, cabin crew. But it's not all about the people in the sky", says Mark Duffy from Ryanair.

Howard Grosvenor, Strategic Solutions Director from Aon - "A big trend in aviation talent is about how to attract candidates and how to build a really powerful brand."