Richard Smith, Engagement Director – Aviation at Winchester Consulting Ltd talks to Aviation360.
However, the future of aviation will not be wholly automated—talent still matter, particularly in areas where emotional intelligence and human judgement are essential.
The aviation industry is in the midst of a profound transformation, driven by the accelerating pace of digitalisation. From ticket purchase to arrival at the final destination, every touchpoint in the passenger journey is becoming more automated, data-driven, and interconnected. This shift is reshaping traditional job roles and creating the need for an entirely new set of aviation talent.
“Data-driven digital technology is fast becoming the foundation that will underpin most, if not all, of what we do in aviation going forward,” Richard Smith, Engagement Director – Aviation at Winchester Consulting Ltd, explains.
Role of automation and data integration
The increasing integration of digital systems across aviation has led to a fundamental rethinking of roles within the industry. Automation is no longer limited to passenger services; it now extends deep into the operational and technical backbone of the sector. As systems become smarter and more connected, they require a workforce with an entirely new set of competencies.
Yet, Smith emphasises the importance of balance, noting, “The requirement for aviation talent may change and evolve as digitalisation continues to unfold in our industry, but the need for quality customer-facing representatives, situational awareness, common sense and instant decision-making will always continue for those businesses who excel with the personal touch.”
The future of aviation will not be wholly automated—people still matter, particularly in areas where emotional intelligence and human judgement are essential.
Changing job roles and new opportunities
Digitalisation is opening up a wave of new career opportunities across aviation, particularly in the fields of data and technology.
Smith points to a number of emerging areas leading the charge, “The forerunners appear to be in the fields of Data Analytics, Data Science, AI Specialisms, Cloud Solutions Architecture, Cybersecurity, Digital Transformation, Digital Marketing, Customer Success, Business Analysis and Data Centre Engineering.”
These roles are becoming indispensable as the sector leans into predictive analytics, cloud infrastructure, and AI-powered solutions. Smith also highlights the growing link between data and environmental responsibility, “Data Analytics and Sustainability” is emerging as a critical career niche, as the industry strives to meet ambitious decarbonisation goals.
Skills for the future workforce
As job roles change, so too must the skills of those entering or transitioning within the aviation workforce.
Smith notes that “workers will need to sharpen their digital savvy, pursue targeted skills training, and understand how emerging tools are reshaping the industry.” In particular, he identifies data science, analytics, and sustainability as high-demand areas for future skill development.
But it’s not just about technical expertise. According to Smith, “AI and systems cannot handle every business area, and valuable future soft skills will also need to be secured.”
Skills such as creativity, empathy, leadership, and active listening will remain vital, especially in customer-facing and management roles.
He warns that these soft skills are currently lacking among many new entrants to the workforce, referencing research that found “37% of Gen Z employees lacked communication skills, 28% lacked resilience and 27% were deficient in problem-solving.”
Addressing the upskilling challenge
The challenge for aviation companies lies in upskilling existing employees and equipping the next generation with the right balance of skills.
“Digital transformation will be influenced and steered by big data towards the trends, needs and demands of customers,” says Smith. He argues that businesses need to be ready to interpret predictive trends and respond quickly to customer expectations if they want to remain competitive.
Education providers are stepping up to support this transition. “As universities and colleges increase their provision to meet demand for data scientists and analysts, overall literacy on the importance of AI and big data to businesses can help improve awareness of careers and skills development,” Smith explains.
He cites examples such as the University of West London and Stansted Airport College, who are working with Winchester Consulting and other partners to ensure that digital and soft skills are taught together in a blended, balanced approach.
Raising awareness of aviation careers
One persistent issue facing the aviation industry is a lack of awareness about the breadth of career options available.
Smith observes that “many people simply don’t know about the breadth of careers and job opportunities on offer in aviation. There are literally hundreds of jobs which go beyond uniformed occupations, but many job seekers, including students, know nothing about them.”
To combat this, the industry is launching new outreach and engagement strategies. Smith highlights a key initiative, “Work has already started on this through a virtual aviation campus led by Stansted Airport College in partnership with Talentview Aviation.”
This initiative, supported by the UK Department for Transport and the UK Civil Aviation Authority, aims to connect talent with opportunity and raise the visibility of modern aviation careers.
Looking ahead: A human-centred digital future
Looking to the future, Smith believes the aviation industry must present itself as a dynamic, innovative sector to attract top-tier talent. “Much more needs to be done to raise awareness of careers in our industry, not employer by employer, but at an industry-wide, global level,” he says.
The goal is not only to keep pace with digital trends but to lead them.
As aviation embraces digitalisation, the industry will continue to evolve—but people will remain at the heart of it. “Digitalisation is not simply about upgrading systems—it is about reimagining what it means to work in aviation,” Smith concludes.
The jobs of the future will combine data fluency with empathy, systems thinking with creativity. It’s an exciting time for aviation talent, and for those ready to take flight in these new roles, the opportunities are boundless.
