The Aerospace Industry Association (AIA) has released a new survey that reveals leading issues impacting the aerospace supply chain, including workforce challenges, government regulations, and technological implementations.

The “2024 Aerospace Supply Chain Health Check” reflects insights from survey respondents representing supply chain businesses in the aerospace and defense (A&D) sector. They indicated that new technology is expanding opportunities for A&D, with AIA members anticipating investments in areas including AI, cybersecurity measures, and smart factory solutions.

Survey respondents revealed that there is a lack of skilled labor and STEM talent, and a limited recruitment base. AIA members identified top challenges in retaining current workers, including wage compensation, skilled labor retirement, and challenges with workforce perceptions of the aerospace industry.

“Our latest Supply Chain Health Check underscores some of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the aerospace and defense supply chain in 2025: incorporating new technologies, dealing with burdensome compliance costs and unnecessary overclassification, and accessing the critical minerals and workforce needed to maintain global leadership,” AIA president and CEO Eric Fanning said.“We look forward to working with our members, the federal government, and other key stakeholders to find solutions that will improve resiliency across the supply chain, especially for small and medium-sized businesses.”

Access the survey and summary findings via AIA’s recent news release.