Connected Aircraft Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Systems and Solutions), Connectivity (Inflight, Air to Air, and Air to Ground Connectivity), Application (Commercial and Military), Frequency Band (Ka-Band, Ku-Band, and L-Band) and Regional Forecasts, 2019-2026

During travel, an aircraft generates hundreds of gigabytes of data. The generated data is stored in different parts of an aircraft. Connected technologies are defined as the technologies that make the transfer of data to and from the aircraft to improve in-flight passenger experience, pilots, and operators. The transfer of this data through satellite communication to different hardware systems and software is aimed at improving in-flight connectivity (IFC) to enhance passenger experience and increasing overall efficiency and safety of an aircraft. The real-time data shared between different aircraft systems and ground control systems through satellite communication improve safety and efficiency during travel. The connected aircraft revolutionizes airline operations by improving flight safety, fleet management, passenger experience, flight operations, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, aircraft turnaround time, and costs.

Connected aircraft systems enable the transmission of real-time data from ground-based operating systems, which assist in providing critical information regarding management, display, and management of multiple systems operating in the avionics systems of the aircraft. Honeywell’s GoDirect Router, an advanced hardware system, provides features such as lightweight, high data transmission rate, cost-effective, and improved performance.

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Increasing adoption of broadband and satellite-based connectivity options allow airlines and operators to capture data about the health of critical avionics systems. The growing availability of high-speed broadband and satellite communication (SATCOM) systems provide speeds of up to 40 to 50 megabits per second (Mbps). Airlines, operators, and suppliers are starting to take advantage of that capability to enable faster, more efficient data sharing to help operational teams provide better maintenance schedules, report trends back to aircraft, reduce aircraft downtime, and avionics manufacturers to enhance operational efficiency. Nowadays, airlines are more concerned about in-flight entertainment services to customers as well as real-time aircraft information for better decision- making and an increase in the overall efficiency of aircraft operations. For better IFEC (in-flight entertainment and connectivity) for passengers to use Wi-Fi services and surf the internet at 30,000 feet, airlines are adopting connected aircraft technologies.

Moreover, airlines are focusing on flight safety by real-time data sharing, give pilots graphical awareness by moving maps, weather information through turbulence reports, flight optimization, and others. Furthermore, connectivity helps airlines in real-time information of maintenance, reducing fuel consumption, and reduced aircraft turnaround time for improved passenger experience. The shift from seat-centric entertainment systems to portable entertainment devices, which are lightweight and are technologically-friendly, acts as a major opportunity for the connected aircraft market.

Increasing the adoption of advanced technologies such as big data and real-time analytics for predictive maintenance drives the growth of the connected aircraft market. By using these technologies, the aircraft becomes a data-rich node on a large network, having more reliable connections to link an airplane component with internal systems as well as with the ground control system to analyze information. Air traffic management (ATM) modernization used with the data-centric architectures and integrated into the modern aircraft will create a network in the sky for the future. 

MARKET DRIVERS

“Increasing Adoption of Digitalization to Drive the Growth of the Market”

Airlines provide in-flight internet to provide real-time access to aircraft data, delivering smarter and safer operations fleet-wide. Rising demand for in-flight entertainment to improve passenger experience and improvement in overall airline operations drive the connected aircraft market trends. The digitalization of aircraft by connecting all aircraft systems with the ground stations through satellite communication systems improves the overall performance of aircraft.

The connected aircraft provides real-time data sharing of an aircraft between pilots, crew members, and ground systems. With the increase in data, the use of analytics in the airline industry is the next big thing that is expected to improve performance. The adoption of big data analytics and predictive models provides reliability, real-time data exchange, and efficient operations for aircraft as well as airlines. Increasing use of aviation analytics increases airline revenue, enables smart maintenance, reduces costs, and brings about digital transformation. Digitization has promoted various e-commerce companies to provide experience of inflight shopping. Recently in September 2019, Thales Group and Airfree had a partnership. In this partnership Airfree will offer duty-free services for more than 350 airports and will also provide inflight shopping platform by 2020. This will boost the growth of the market.

“Growing Aircraft Deliveries Across the Globe to Propel the Growth of the Market”

The number of air travelers is increasing on a daily basis. Increasing number of air passengers is creating demand for aircraft globally, which has resulted in rising production and the number of deliveries of aircraft from manufacturers. Growing urbanization and increasing disposable income of individual is resulting in a rise in the number of air travelers that are boosting the connected aircraft market growth. Growing demand for IFEC services, real-time data exchange, and upgraded aircraft health monitoring systems propels the growth of the in-flight connectivity (IFC) services.

Growing demand for connected aircraft due to its applications such as improved IFEC services for passengers, real-time weather information, aircraft health monitoring, and flight management systems. According to a research, 60% of commercial aircraft will be connected in the next ten years. Moreover, contracts between key players and airlines for connected aircraft services will drive the growth of the market. In November 2019, Gogo LLC signed a contract with Qatar airways to install the Gogo 2Ku high-speed inflight connectivity solution and live TV on 70 of the airline's aircraft.

SEGMENTATION

By Type

“Increasing Demand for inflight connectivity for Improvement in Operational Efficiency to Drive Market Growth”

Based on systems, the connected aircraft market is segmented into systems and solutions. Among these, the solutions segment is estimated to be the fastest growing segment during the forecast period. The solutions segment includes all the services provided by the connected aircraft that includes aircraft health monitoring, real-time data exchange, improved flight and airline operations, and others. Furthermore, increasing aircraft deliveries owing to the rise in the number of air travelers, increasing disposable income of individuals, and growing urbanization in emerging economies will drive the growth of this market.

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The system segment shows significant growth as it involves hardware systems that include flight management systems, loaders, cabin equipment, and others.

By Connectivity

“Adoption of Advanced Technologies for Overall Connectivity to Drive the Growth of the Market”

Based on connectivity, the market is segmented into in-flight connectivity (IFC), Air-to-Air, and Air-to-Ground connectivity. The in-flight connectivity segment accounted for the highest market share and continues to be the dominating segment during the forecast period. The growth is owing to the increase in the number of air travelers, rising in disposable income of the middle class, and growing number of aircraft deliveries worldwide. Manufacturers are currently focusing on the supply of advanced connected services that are more reliable, accurate, and efficient. In-flight connectivity allows passengers to use broadband Wi-Fi service, in-flight shopping facility, and entertainment related inflight services would drive the connected aircraft market.

Moreover, the Air-to-Air segment shows moderate growth over the years owing to getting real-time information of aircraft location, weather monitoring, communication, and navigation information between two aircraft. Air-to-Ground connectivity witnessed significant growth during the forecast period. Air-to-Ground connectivity is majorly used to transfer real-time flight data related of the aircraft components and systems to the related ground stations. This data is further used for the maintenance purposes.

By Application

“Increasing Production Capacity from Aircraft OEMs to Support the Growth of the Market”

Based on application, the market is segmented into commercial and military. The commercial segment is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the increasing number of aircraft deliveries and the growing production capacity from aircraft OEMs. The OEM are widely implementing adoption of big data analytics to perform real-time operations, improved reliability, and accuracy.

The military segment also shows significant growth due to rising demand for advanced fighter aircraft with advanced navigation and communication capabilities. The military aircraft modernization and up-gradation programs from airlines to improve performance in different missions.

By Frequency Band

“Rising Demand for STACOM Communication with High-Speed Data Rates to Support Market Growth”

Based on frequency band, the market is segmented into L-Band, Ka-Band, and Ku-Band. The Ku-Band segment is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to high-speed data transmission. The Ku-Band utilizes the frequencies between 12 and 18 GHz. The Ka-Band witnessed significant growth due to the provision of 12 Mbps data to each passenger. The L-Band segment witnessed steady growth due to its capability of the data transmission rate. The L-Band uses frequencies between 1 and 2 GHz.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

North America is estimated to lead the connected aircraft market share during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to the well-developed aviation industry and increasing aircraft deliveries across the region. Furthermore, presence of major commercial aircraft manufacturers and airlines in North America, such as Boeing (US), American Airlines (US), United Airlines (US), and Bombardier (Canada) is fueling the production and demand for connected aircraft products. Europe witnessed significant growth owing to a flourishing aviation sector across the region. Adoption of advanced technologies with combined SATCOM intermediate frequencies (IFs), and service delivery expertise of some of the most innovative companies in Europe is driving the growth of the regional market.

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Asia-Pacific shows significant growth owing to the rise in demand for aircraft from countries like China, India, and Japan. The increasing number of airports and airlines due to the rise in air traffic throughout the region drives the growth of the market. The Middle East also shows moderate growth due to an increase in demand for aircraft across the region.

INDUSTRY KEY PLAYERS

“Market players such as Honeywell international, Gogo, Thales Group, and Panasonic Avionics to Strengthen the Market Position”

As per the connected aircraft market forecast, the market is dominated by some key companies on account of their strong product portfolio and key strategic decisions. These key companies have a wide regional presence and are also investing in R&D capability.   

Connected aircraft OEMs are majorly focusing on business expansion by establishing contracts for the development of advanced avionics systems. Moreover, companies are expanding their businesses by adopting strategies such as investments in mergers & acquisitions, joint development, long term contracts, and agreements.

List of Key Companies Profiled:

• Honeywell International


• Gogo


• Thales Group


• Panasonic Avionics


• Inmarsat


• BAE Systems


• Collins Aerospace


• Viasat


• Zodiac Aerospace


• Global Eagle Entertainment


• Kontron


• Digecor

REPORT COVERAGE

Increasing demand for advanced connected aircraft systems and the growing aftermarket is driving the connected aircraft market. The connected aircraft market is analyzed on the basis of different segments including type, connectivity, application, and frequency band. The market research includes the scope of all the regions in the market, which is generating the demand for the connected aircraft market.

An Infographic Representation of Connected Aircraft Market

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Along with this, the connected aircraft market report provides an elaborative analysis of the global market dynamics and competitive landscape for the key manufacturers of this market.

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Report Scope & Segmentation

INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT:

• In December 2019, Panasonic Avionics Corporation signed a contract with Eutelsat Communications for Ku-band capacity on two multi-beam payloads on the EUTELSAT 10B satellite, due to be launched in 2022.

• In November 2019, Gogo LLC signed a contract with Qatar Airways to install the Gogo 2Ku high-speed inflight connectivity solution and live TV on 70 of the airline's aircraft.


• In May 2019, Panasonic Avionics Corporation signed a contract with TAP Air Portugal to provide inflight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) solutions for the carrier’s new fleet of 14 A321neo LR aircraft.


• In April 2019, Panasonic Avionics Corporation launched a new its new Arc Inflight Map Platform – a revolutionary 3D inflight map application and service for its NEXT and X Series inflight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) systems.