There are now fewer people working in the US aerospace industry than at any time since 1953, according to the US Aerospace Industry Association (AIA). At present, 689,000 work in the industry, down 13% since 11 September 2001, and down 48% since the end of the Cold War in December 1989. The AIA points out that 27% of the remaining workers will retire in the next five years, and has called for government intervention to reverse the effects of "efficiency"-based mergers and cutbacks, the downturn in commercial space flight, and the crisis in civil aviation. AIA also blamed reduced spending on aerospace research and development and the smaller number of new aircraft programmes for "a feeling of disillusionment about the industry" that was hindering recruitment.
Source: Flight International
