Key Hiring Trends in 2025
"In previous years, the market was job-led, for each position we’d have three or four strong candidates.
Now it’s completely flipped. For every one candidate, there are two or three jobs.
We’ve also seen rates increase significantly, particularly across wide-body aircraft maintenance, where pay rises of around 25–30% have become the norm."
Shifts In Hiring Activity
"We’ve made big improvements to the contractor experience, increasing the number of touch points so individuals speak to multiple people across V7 rather than just one contact.
Cost control has also been a major focus this year. With rising living costs and the fact that aviation recruitment often involves moving people around Europe, we have a responsibility to keep costs manageable for our clients while ensuring our contractors are properly supported."
Skills & Roles in Demand
"The highest-demand roles in 2025 have been Avionic Technicians and B2 Licensed Engineers. Those skills remain incredibly scarce.
A positive trend we’re seeing is more Composite Repair Technicians on the market. As aircraft incorporate more composite materials, demand for specialists is only increasing, and the talent pool is starting to grow slowly"
Market Drivers
"In the last five to ten years, we’ve seen major aviation companies acquiring independent MROs and aerospace businesses.
Partly that’s about competition, but it’s also about expanding capability, adding new aircraft types, services and technical expertise to their offering. This consolidation continues to push activity across the sector."
Looking Ahead to 2026
"For Aviation Recruitment in 2026, I don’t see things slowing down at all. Many of our clients already have fully booked hangars for the entire year, which is great news for them, our contractors and us.
The demand is there, and it’s showing no signs of easing."
Drivers of Future Demand
"To keep up with demand we’ll be focusing on bringing new contractors into our portfolio, but looking after our existing people always comes first.
We’re actively forming new client partnerships, especially with companies that can operate quickly and efficiently.
There is definitely an ageing workforce in aviation. A lot of companies are investing in apprenticeship schemes to fill the gap, which is encouraging. But everyone is asking the same question: how will we staff all these hangars?
There’s a real skill shortage, and companies are becoming stricter about aircraft recency, requiring engineers to have logged a certain number of days on specific aircraft types. Whether that will ease due to demand remains to be seen.
Competition for talent will be higher than ever. Our job is to stay proactive and continue looking after our candidates so that we’re their first call when they become available."
The aviation sector remains one of the most active and talent-short markets in Europe. With rising demand, evolving aircraft technology and increasing MRO consolidation, 2026 is shaping up to be another high-intensity year.
Whether you’re an Aviation Engineer, Avionic Technician, B2 Licensed Engineer, or an MRO planning for growth, V7 Recruitment is here to support you.
Get in touch with our Aviation Division to discuss hiring needs or upcoming contract opportunities.
