Market Trends of Aviation Industry
Commercial Aircraft Segment Projected to Witness the Highest CAGR During the Forecast Period
In 2020, there was a decline in commercial aircraft deliveries due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, aircraft deliveries improved in 2021, and the major commercial aircraft OEMs, like Airbus and Boeing, increased their production and delivery rates. With the lifting of travel restrictions, air passenger traffic is improving.
With the increase in air passenger traffic, airlines have started operating on all major routes and added new routes. United Airlines has announced that it has started operating on new routes, describing it as its "largest transatlantic expansion." With everything returning to normal, new airlines have started operations. Akasa Air, a new Indian airline, started its operations in August 2022, starting with one route with 28 flights a week and gradually adding two more routes. In October 2022, Alaska Airlines ordered 52 Boeing B737 MAX aircraft with a plan to expand its fleet. The airline announced plans to have an all-Boeing mainline fleet by the end of 2023.
With the e-commerce operations increasing rapidly since COVID-19, the air cargo market has increased, and thus the orders for freighter aircraft have increased in 2022. For instance, in October 2022, Luxembourg's Cargolux airlines placed an order with Boeing for 10 B777-8 freighters along with options for 6 additional aircraft. China holds the position of second largest air freight market only next to the US. According to Boeing's Commercial Market Outlook 2022, China's commercial airfleet is expected to grow from 3900 to 9600 by 2041.
Asia-Pacific Expected to Dominate the Aviation Market During the Forecast Period
Asia-Pacific has become a significant hub for the aviation industry over the years. The emerging economies in the region, like India and China, are experiencing a massive surge in their respective civil aviation markets due to an increased demand for air travel. Hence, the revenues from Asia-Pacific are projected to witness a high growth rate during the forecast period.
China is leading the recovery of global commercial aviation due to great domestic demand, helping the airlines witness financial recovery. It has become a major hub for the aviation industry over the years due to high demand from civilian and military customers. Commercial aviation has been a key contributor to China's aviation industry over the years. China is the largest market in aviation due to an increase in domestic air passenger traffic, which has surpassed the North American region and is expected to grow rapidly at a rate of 4.4% by 2040, according to Boeing. An increase in the number of airports in the region would also help in the growth of the market. In March 2022, the Indian aviation ministry approved the construction of 21 greenfield airports in the country. New airlines in the region have also helped to improve the market.
With the increase in military spending of the countries in the region due to tensions between neighboring countries and with foreign nations investing in arranging military base stations in countries like Australia, military aviation in the Asia-Pacific region is also increasing. China is increasing its military airborne capabilities, and a new stealth fighter aircraft, the new version of the J-20, which is the world's first twin-seat stealth fighter aircraft, was unveiled in October of 2021.
