Airbus expects a four-fold increase in the number of digitally-connected aircraft in the next two decades, and forecasts that digital and connectivity will be the fastest-growing sector of its services business over the period.
The sector is currently worth $9 billion but Airbus – in its latest services outlook – predicts this figure will rise to $26 billion in 2044, as the connected fleet of 11,000 expands to 40,000.
Airbus senior vice-president of customer services Cristina Aguilar Grieder says the fleet increase can potentially unlock some $83 billion in operational savings for customers per year, adding that digital solutions are “becoming real multipliers”.
Digital technologies will provide real-time connectivity for airline operations, assisting with optimising fleets, turnaround, networks, crewing, and saving fuel, while also enhancing passenger experiences.
The company points out that the A320neo has over 50 times more health parameters than previous-generation aircraft.
Digital and connectivity is one of five detailed sectors into which the airframer has split this year’s services forecast – expanding on the previous three.
Airbus says this will “better reflect the aftermarket landscape”.
While the digital sector is the fastest-growing, it remains relatively small in terms of the broader services revenues.
Airbus forecasts that the largest sector – off-wing maintenance – will double to $218 billion in the 20-year outlook, while on-wing maintenance will reach $34 billion.
The remaining two sectors, modifications and training, will each account for $17 billion.
With the Asia-Pacific region likely to be the strongest in relation to aircraft delivery demand, the Chinese services market will eclipse the current leaders, Europe and North America, by 2044. China will account for $63.8 billion, with Europe and the CIS in second place at $61.3 billion.
Airbus says this is consistent with the “eastward migration” of aftermarket demand.
