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Aircraft maintenance coordinator

Also called plane maintenance manager, airplane maintenance manager, aeroplane maintenance manager

Aircraft maintenance coordinators plan, schedule, and manage the preparation and maintenance works in the hangars and workshops. They communicate with higher level managers in order to prepare the necessary resources for smooth and efficient operations in airports.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 9 countries now. 17 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Metal, machinery and related trades workersWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,200 (Bulgaria) to €5,100 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Metal, machinery and related trades workersWhat do I need to study?Upper secondary or vocational7 in 10 finished upper secondary or vocational training. 8 in 10 train through vocational routes.Metal, machinery and related trades workersWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Aircraft engine mechanics and repairers · ILO

What you'd do

Aircraft engine mechanics and repairers · ILO
  • Fitting, examining, testing and servicing aircraft engines
  • Replacing engine components or complete engines
  • Examining and inspecting airframes and aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and de-icers to detect wear, cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems
  • Maintaining, repairing, overhauling, modifying and testing aircraft structural, mechanical and hydraulic systems
  • Reading and interpreting manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components
  • Maintaining, repairing and rebuilding aircraft structures, functional components and parts such as wings and fuselage, rigging, hydraulic units, oxygen systems, fuel systems, electrical systems, gaskets, and seals
  • Inspecting completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and the aircraft is ready for operation
  • Maintaining repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance
  • Installing and testing electrical and electronic components, assemblies and systems in aircraft
  • Connecting components to assemblies such as radio systems, instruments, magnetos, inverters, and in-flight refuelling systems
Use technical documentationUse computerised maintenance management systemsDetermine maintenance schedules for airport equipmentDetect bottlenecksManage airport development resources+ 7 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors and outdoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Very repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the related, broader US job "Airfield Operations Specialists"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

9 EU countries are short of aircraft engine mechanics and repairers now, but fewer jobs than in most work will need filling by 2035.

People working as metal, machinery and related trades workers in the EU
7.34m7.68m7.01m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
1,868,000 replacing leavers 594,000 jobs disappear
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Metal, machinery and related trades workers17
All jobs29
Right now
9 of 27 countries report a shortage of aircraft engine mechanics and repairers, 2 a surplus.
Aircraft engine mechanics and repairers · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,200 a month (Bulgaria) to €5,100 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among craft and related trades workers in the EU, women earn 26% less per hour than men. Craft and related trades workers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Upper secondary or vocational

Upper secondary or vocational training in transport services is the usual route.

Highest qualification of metal, machinery and related trades workers (EU, 2025)
Degree 11%Vocational 62%General secondary 6%Basic schooling 21%
Fields that teach it
Transport services · Mechanics and metal trades
Vocational route, EU
8 in 10 trainees in this field

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.19 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 10 tasks
Maintaining repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance0.39
Reading and interpreting manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components0.23
Examining and inspecting airframes and aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and de-icers to detect wear, cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems0.20
Inspecting completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and the aircraft is ready for operation0.19
Installing and testing electrical and electronic components, assemblies and systems in aircraft0.17
Fitting, examining, testing and servicing aircraft engines0.17
Maintaining, repairing, overhauling, modifying and testing aircraft structural, mechanical and hydraulic systems0.16
Replacing engine components or complete engines0.15
Maintaining, repairing and rebuilding aircraft structures, functional components and parts such as wings and fuselage, rigging, hydraulic units, oxygen systems, fuel systems, electrical systems, gaskets, and seals0.15
Connecting components to assemblies such as radio systems, instruments, magnetos, inverters, and in-flight refuelling systems0.14

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for aircraft engine mechanics and repairers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).