The air passenger transport employment in the UK has experienced a declining trend from 2013 to 2023, decreasing from 50.65 thousand employees in 2013 to 26.97 thousand employees in 2023. The annual declines have generally ranged from 2% to 22%, with occasional small increases in 2017 and 2019.
The recent year-on-year changes highlight a consistent downward pattern, with a -4.58% drop in 2022, followed by a -4.7% decline in 2023. Over the last 5 years, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) has been -2.75%, indicating an average yearly reduction in employment.
Looking ahead, forecasted data from 2024 to 2028 show a continued decline, with the number of employees expected to reach 20.02 thousand by 2028. The forecasted 5-year CAGR is -4.73%, corresponding to a total reduction of 21.52% from the employee numbers in 2023.
Future Trends to Watch For:
- Technological advancements and automation potential reducing the need for human labor.
- Economic fluctuations and their impact on travel demand.
- Environmental regulations prompting operational changes in the aviation industry.
- Potential post-pandemic recovery and changes in travel patterns.