Spain exceeds 5,000 Aircraft Maintenance Technicians licenses under European regulations for the first time

• Currently, the number of Part-66 licensed aircraft maintenance technicians (TMAs) is 5,288. 
• Most of these licenses include category B1, which allows work on aircraft structure, power plant, and mechanical and electrical systems. 
• The number of basic examinations carried out at EASA in 2025 to obtain this licence will be higher than the previous year, thus ending the downward trend of recent years.  
• Thanks to the qualification of EASA professionals and its new application to manage aeronautical personnel licences, the average time for processing maintenance technicians’ licences has been considerably reduced.

 

Madrid, 21 November 2025 (AESA)

The State Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) has issued 5,288 licenses for aircraft maintenance technicians (LMA), a milestone for the sector that has surpassed the five thousand barrier for the first time. This figure, registered until September 30, 2025, includes the number of EASA Part 66 licenses, which enables to perform and certify the maintenance of aircraft and components.

The validity of these licenses is five years from their issuance or their last renewal or modification. In addition, the licenses are divided into several categories according to the scope of work, being able to include in the same license several categories or subcategories. 

Of the number of active LMA licenses, most have B1 built-in, which allows an aircraft maintenance technician (TMA) to issue commissioning certificates after performing maintenance work on the aircraft structure, power plant, and mechanical and electrical systems. 
 
On the other hand, although these data show the number of licensed TMAs, it should be noted that in the industry there are personnel who work as an assistant and who have not yet obtained the Part 66 license.

 

Basic exams for the LMA license at AESA

Every year, AESA publishes a schedule of exams and venues for the performance of the mandatory theoretical tests for obtaining the TMA license. 

Between January 1 and September 30, 2025, 2,919 exams have been carried out in the different calls. It should be noted that in the same period of 2024, 2,506 examinations were carried out, which means that an increase is expected at the end of this year, thus ending the downward trend that was being registered in the performance of examinations since 2022.

Currently, AESA carries out its exams in the cities of Madrid and Barcelona, although it has launched a pilot project to expand to more locations, with Salamanca being the first destination open for it at the end of November. This initiative is part of EASA's commitment to facilitate access to EBA training and certification. More information on the schedule of exams and venues can be found here.

 

Una profesión clave para la aviación

From AESA we work to promote and recognize the profession of TMA, an essential figure to ensure aviation safety. In addition, thanks to the development of the Agency’s new digital application for managing aeronautical personnel licences and the incorporation and qualification of personnel, the average processing time for AML licences has been progressively reduced during 2025, reaching a decrease of 80%. 

On the other hand, aware of the growing demand for these professionals in the industry, AESA works actively to facilitate access to the regulations and procedures governing airworthiness, ensuring that both organizations and technicians have clear and up-to-date information. 

To this end, the Agency regularly organizes conferences and meetings with the sector, where regulatory developments are explained and doubts are resolved. These initiatives not only strengthen the continuing training of TMAs, but also contribute to the harmonisation of processes, reinforcing the safety culture that underpins aviation. The material used is available at this link.

AESA continues to work to consolidate itself as a reference in the promotion of a strategic profession for air transport.

 

About AESA

AESA is the State body, attached to the Secretary of State for Transport of the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, which ensures that civil aviation standards are complied with in all aeronautical activity in Spain. 

The Agency has the missions of Supervision, Inspection and Management of Air Transport, Air Navigation and Airport Security. It assesses risks to transport safety and has the power to impose penalties for breaches of civil aviation rules.