No AMEs, No Lift: Securing Canada’s Aviation Workforce

Canada’s aviation sector is facing a persistent shortage of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs), creating real operational pressures for operators, MROs and service providers. For ATAC members, tight labour supply is already affecting aircraft availability, maintenance turnaround times and the ability to scale with growing demand.

Projections show this is a long-term structural challenge, driven by an aging workforce, limited training output and increasing maintenance needs tied to fleet growth. More broadly, Transport Canada estimates a potential shortage of 42,000 to 55,000 aviation workers by 2035, with AMEs a critical gap.

Although progress is underway through expanded training and immigration, these solutions will take time to produce experienced, licensed personnel.

In the near term, there is a risk that larger operators draw a disproportionate share of AMEs, leaving smaller operators, MROs and service providers short of critical skills, ultimately impacting system-wide performance. This must be addressed as an ecosystem-wide issue, not a competitive one.

The challenge is particularly acute in regional and remote areas, where attracting and retaining AMEs is difficult. Building sustainable local talent pipelines and investing in regional training is essential to ensure long-term workforce stability and maintain vital air services.

Beyond recruitment, improving retention and productivity are key. Sharing best practices in employee satisfaction, career development and workplace conditions, along with adopting new technologies, can help maximize productivity of  limited skilled labour. At the same time, maintaining experience levels through structured knowledge transfer from senior AMEs to apprentices is critical for safe operations.

Bottom line: The AME shortage is a systemic, industry-wide challenge that requires coordinated action to keep Canada’s aviation sector safe, efficient and well positioned for a sustainable future.