Wide Body Aircraft MRO Market Size

Market Size Snapshot

Note – Market size depicts the revenue generated over the financial year

In 2023, the MRO market for wide-body aircraft was valued at approximately $ 247.7 billion. It is projected to reach $ 35.0 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 3.93% from 2024 to 2032. It is expected that the demand for MRO services will increase steadily, as operators and operators are constantly seeking to improve the efficiency of aircraft operations and ensure that they comply with the increasingly stringent safety regulations. The expansion of the market is mainly driven by the increasing number of wide-body aircraft in service, as well as the increasing focus on fleet modernization and the use of advanced technology in MRO processes. The growth of air traffic is also a driving force for this market, as it requires an increasing number of wide-body aircraft. The development of MRO technology, such as digitalization and prediction, is also a major contributor to this trend. The market leaders, such as Airbus, Boeing and GE, are investing heavily in the development of new products and services and are forming strategic alliances to improve their offerings. Among others, the digitalization of MRO by Boeing and the expansion of the MRO network by Airbus are two strategic measures to take advantage of the market's potential. These companies are well positioned to take advantage of the emerging trends in the MRO market for wide-body aircraft and maintain their leading positions.

Regional Market Size

Regional Deep Dive

The market for wide-body aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul is characterized by the increasing number of wide-body aircraft in service and the growing need for maintenance, repair and overhaul services to ensure the safety and compliance with regulatory standards. Each region shows its own trends, depending on fleet composition, technological developments and economic conditions. However, the market is expected to grow with the development of digital technology and the implementation of new tools for predictive maintenance, which are expected to improve the efficiency of operations and reduce the downtime of aircraft.

Europe

• The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is implementing new regulations to increase the safety and efficiency of aircraft maintenance, which is forcing MROs to implement new technology and processes.
• The rise of the low-cost carriers in Europe has prompted an increase in competition between MROs. In order to attract more customers, companies such as Lufthansa Technik and Air France Industries KLM Engineering and Maintenance have been constantly developing their product range.

Asia Pacific

• In the Asia-Pacific region, especially in China and India, the wide-body aircraft fleet is growing rapidly, which will require more MRO services. The MRO service industry is booming, and the big players are investing.
• Government initiatives in countries such as India to boost domestic manufacturing and MRO capabilities are expected to enhance the region's self-sufficiency in aircraft maintenance, reducing reliance on foreign service providers.

Latin America

• In Latin America, the MRO market is evolving with the increasing focus on enhancing safety standards and operational efficiency, driven by regulatory bodies like ANAC in Brazil, which are implementing stricter maintenance regulations.
• The region is witnessing a rise in partnerships between local MRO providers and international companies, such as the collaboration between Embraer and various MRO service providers, aimed at improving service offerings and expanding market reach.

North America

• In North America, major MRO investments are being made, especially by Boeing and Lockheed Martin, to cater to the growing fleet of wide-body aircraft and the increased air traffic that has resulted from the pandemic.
• FAA's regulatory changes have led to stricter maintenance standards. This has pushed MROs to use AI and IoT to conduct predictive maintenance, which can help improve service quality and efficiency.

Middle East And Africa

• The Middle East is becoming a major MRO centre with major investment in the required infrastructure and facilities, as exemplified by the Dubai South project, which aims to establish a complete aviation industry and MRO for wide-body aircraft.
• The region's strategic location as a transit hub for international flights is driving demand for MRO services, with companies like Emirates Engineering and Qatar Airways providing extensive maintenance capabilities to support their growing fleets.

Did You Know?

“Did you know that the global wide-body aircraft fleet is expected to double in size over the next two decades, significantly increasing the demand for MRO services?” — International Air Transport Association (IATA)

Segmental Market Size

The MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) of wide-body aircraft is a vital part of the long-haul aircraft industry. This sector is currently experiencing a period of growth, fuelled by the increasing demand for air transport and the need to modernise aircraft fleets. The rising number of wide-body aircraft entering service and the stricter regulatory requirements in certain regions (North America, Asia-Pacific) are the main factors driving this growth. The MRO of wide-body aircraft is at the mature stage of its development, with the main players, Airbus and Boeing, offering a wide range of services. The most important are the regular maintenance of aircraft, the repair of components and the retrofitting of aircraft to improve their fuel efficiency. In terms of trends, the notable ones are the growing importance of sustainable development and the increasing use of data analysis in the field of predictive maintenance. These trends are reshaping the MRO landscape, with the use of tools such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things becoming an essential part of optimising maintenance schedules and improving the reliability of aircraft.

Future Outlook

The market for MRO of wide-body aircrafts is projected to grow from $24 billion in 2023 to $34 billion in 2032, at a CAGR of 3.93%. The increasing demand for air travel, especially in the emerging economies, and the growing fleet of wide-body aircrafts are the two major drivers of this growth. The demand for MRO services will increase as the number of wide-body aircrafts increases. By 2032, the wide-body aircraft MRO market will account for a substantial share of the total aviation MRO market. The wide-body fleet penetration rate will reach about 60% by 2032 from the current level of about 45%. Predictive maintenance, based on artificial intelligence, and the digital twin technology will transform the MRO landscape. These innovations will improve the efficiency of the maintenance and reduce the downtime. Consequently, the cost of maintenance will also go down. Furthermore, regulatory initiatives to enhance the safety standards and ensure better environment protection will drive the demand for advanced MRO solutions. The shift towards sustainable aviation and the integration of eco-friendly materials in the MRO process will also shape the market dynamics. As the industry adapts to these changes, the wide-body aircraft MRO market will also evolve.