Market Overview

Aircraft MRO Market gained a value of USD 83,160 million in 2022 and is estimated to reach a value of USD 144,500 million by 2033, depicting a sigmoid growth curve behavior within the industry at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period.

Market Scope

Aviation industry has taken a stable shift in terms of growth rate from 2022, after being deeply hit during the pandemic. The aviation industry experienced significant growth in 2023, after two years of decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Global passenger traffic is expected to reach 87.8% of 2019 levels in 2023, and airlines are expected to return to profitability.

As you can see, the aviation industry's growth is accelerating in 2023. This is due to a number of factors, including the easing of travel restrictions, the pent-up demand for travel, and the strong global economy. This has put a pressure on the aviation industry in delivering quality ride to passengers, thereby propelling the demand for aircraft MRO market.

The aviation industry is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts that global passenger traffic will reach 118% of 2019 levels by 2027.

Source: We Market Research

Below statistics depicts the growth within the global aviation industry, and why there is a growing need for an efficient aircraft MRO Market services:

·         The increasing number of aircraft in service. The global fleet of commercial aircraft is expected to grow from over 30,000 aircraft in 2023 to over 40,000 aircraft by 2032. This increase in the number of aircraft in service will lead to a corresponding increase in the demand for MRO services, thereby propelling the aircraft MRO market.

·         The aging of the global aircraft fleet. The average age of commercial aircraft is increasing. This is due to the fact that airlines are keeping their aircraft in service for longer periods of time. As aircraft age, they require more frequent and complex MRO services.

·         The growing complexity of aircraft. Aircraft are becoming increasingly complex, with more advanced systems and components. This complexity makes MRO services more challenging and specialized.

·         The increasing focus on safety and reliability. Airlines and aircraft operators are increasingly focused on safety and reliability. This is leading to an increased demand for MRO services that can help to ensure the safe and reliable operation of aircraft.

However, the aviation industry faces a number of challenges, including rising fuel costs, labor shortages, and environmental concerns. The industry will need to address these challenges in order to sustain its growth in the long term.

Market Dynamics

Aircraft’s are becoming a complex structure, with more technological advancement and digital integration. For instance, below depicted are some of the recent and major technical integration within the aviation industry:

Fly-by-wire system: This system replaces the mechanical linkages between the pilot's controls and the aircraft's control surfaces with electronic signals. This system makes aircraft MRO market more maneuverable and responsive to pilot inputs.

Electronic flight instrumentation system (EFIS): This system replaces traditional analog flight instruments with digital displays. EFIS displays provide pilots with more accurate and comprehensive information about the aircraft's status.

Global positioning system (GPS): GPS allows pilots to track their position and navigate to their destination with greater accuracy and efficiency.

Automatic landing system (ALS): ALS allows aircraft to land automatically under low-visibility conditions. This system improves safety and reduces pilot workload.

Air traffic control (ATC) systems: ATC systems use radar and other technologies to track aircraft and provide guidance to pilots. ATC systems help to ensure the safe and efficient flow of air traffic.

Further, the updation in regulation Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Order 8110.6, European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part 25 and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 6 regarding the digital integration has increased a growing demand for periodic maintenance services, which has significantly driven the aircraft MRO market.

Regional aircraft are becoming more popular as airlines look for ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Regional aircraft typically require more frequent MRO services than commercial aircraft, thereby boosting the aircraft MRO market. The growing popularity of regional aircraft is having a number of positive impacts on the aviation industry. For example, regional aircraft are helping to make air travel more affordable and accessible to people in smaller communities. Regional aircraft are also helping to reduce the environmental impact of the aviation industry.

Here are some examples of how airlines are using regional aircraft to expand their networks and offer more affordable flights:

American Airlines: American Airlines uses regional aircraft to operate flights to over 100 small and medium-sized cities in the United States and Canada.

Delta Air Lines: Delta Air Lines uses regional aircraft to operate flights to over 70 small and medium-sized cities in the United States and Canada.

United Airlines: United Airlines uses regional aircraft to operate flights to over 60 small and medium-sized cities in the United States and Canada.

Component Analysis

Based on component, the aircraft MRO market is bifurcated into Airframe, Engine, Landing Gear, Interior Components, Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) and Others. As depicted below, engines and airframes account for the majority of the aircraft MRO industry. This is due to the fact that these components are the most complex and expensive to maintain. Landing gear, interior components, and APUs are also important components, but they require less frequent and less complex maintenance.

Source: We Market Research

The aircraft MRO market is expected to grow in the coming years, driven by the increasing number of aircraft in service and the aging of the global aircraft fleet. This growth is expected to benefit all component types, but engines and airframes are likely to continue to account for the majority of the market.

Aircraft Type Analysis

Based on aircraft type, the aircraft MRO market is segment into Commercial Aircraft MRO, Military Aircraft MRO, General Aviation Aircraft MRO, Regional Aircraft MRO, Business Jets MRO and Cargo Aircraft MRO.

Source: We Market Research

Commercial Aircraft MRO market holds the major share accounting around 50% of the market, this is due to the large number of commercial aircraft in service and the high cost of maintaining these aircraft. Further below table depicts the total commercial aircraft in service and passenger load factor, that portrays the need for aircraft MRO market services:

Source: IATA, We Market Research

From the above data, it is clear that passenger load factor has increased since 2021 and is on the linear growth path, with such growth the wear and tear on aircraft increases, thereby mandating the need for MRO services, thus propelling the aircraft MRO market.

Based on the primary survey done, we have analyzed the correlation between passenger load factor (PLF) and MRO services. Below figure depicts the relationship between PLF and MRO services:

Source: We Market Research

From the above figure it is clear that PL and MRO services are positively correlated with a r value of 0.915291. First, when PLF is high, airlines are flying their aircraft more often. This increased utilization leads to wear and tear on the aircraft, which requires more frequent and more complex MRO services. Second, when PLF is high, airlines are generating more revenue. This increased revenue allows airlines to invest in MRO services to ensure the safety and reliability of their aircraft MRO market.

Finally, when PLF is high, airlines are more likely to keep their aircraft in service for longer periods of time. This is because older aircraft are typically less fuel-efficient than newer aircraft. However, older aircraft can still be profitable if PLF is high.

Thus, commercial aircraft MRO market services will be in higher demand and propel the market growth during the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

Based on the regional scope, the aircraft MRO market is analyzed across North America, Europe, APAC, South America and MEA. North America dominates the market with an active share of 35% in 2023, owing to number of commercial aircraft routes is the United States, with over 200,000 routes. Below tables will clearly depicts, how the region is dominating in aircraft MRO industry:

Source: IATA, We Market Research

From the above it is clear that there has been a linear path in total commercial aircraft in service and the rising PLF ratio, which mandates the need for efficient MRO related functions. The U.S. commercial aircraft fleet is one of the largest and most sophisticated in the world. It includes a wide range of aircraft, from small regional jets to large wide-body airliners. The U.S. commercial aviation industry is a vital part of the U.S. economy, supporting millions of jobs and generating billions of dollars in revenue.

Competitive Analysis

Some of the major companies operating within the aircraft MRO market are: AAR Corp., Airbus SE, Delta Airlines, Inc. (Delta TechOps), Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited, KLM U.K. Engineering Limited, Lufthansa Technik, MTU Aero Engines AG, Raytheon Technologies Corporation (Previously United Technologies Corporation),  Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd, TAP Maintenance & Engineering (TAP Air Portugal).

Lufthansa Technik is the largest MRO provider in the world, with a market share of approximately 15%. The company offers a comprehensive range of MRO services, including line maintenance, base maintenance, engine maintenance, component repair, and modification. Lufthansa Technik has a global network of facilities, including over 30 maintenance hangars and workshops.

Market Segmentation

By Aircraft Type

·         Commercial Aircraft MRO

·         Military Aircraft MRO

·         General Aviation Aircraft MRO

·         Regional Aircraft MRO

·         Business Jets MRO

·         Cargo Aircraft MRO

By Service Type

·         Line Maintenance

·         Base Maintenance

·         Engine Overhaul

·         Component Maintenance

·         Modification and Upgrade Services

·         Avionics Maintenance

By Maintenance Provider

·         Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)

·         Independent MRO Providers

·         Airline-affiliated MROs

·         Defense MRO Facilities

·         Component MRO Specialists

By Component

·         Airframe

·         Engine

·         Landing Gear

·         Interior Components

·         Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)

·         Others

By Technology

·         Traditional MRO

·         Predictive Maintenance

·         Digital and Data-Driven Maintenance