Number of 100-seat-plus planes to double over next 20 years, Airbus predicts

The French aircraft manufacturer predicts that over the next two decades the total industry aftermarket-services spend will reach around US$3.2 trillion (Bt108 trillion). The services market is mainly driven by maintenance, repair and operations (MRO), which for aircraft above 100 seats will represent $1.85 trillion over the next 20 years. Training, cabin and systems upgrades are also major contributors to the overall services market.

MRO
MRO is the largest activity represented under the services market and is expected to double in the next 20 years. On an annual basis, Airbus predicts that the MRO spend will grow from $60 billion to more than $120 billion per year. 
For this segment, there will be a necessity to manage mixed-fleet with ageing aircraft and new technologically advanced aircraft. In addition, the development of low-cost carriers (LCCs) will further drive outsourcing strategies to allow airlines to focus on their core business of transporting their passengers. The Asia-Pacific region will see the largest growth in MRO demand over the period.

Training
As the world fleet grows, so does the need for more pilots and technicians. More than a million pilots and technicians are to be trained over the next 20 years, according to the forecast. 
Airbus has already tripled the number of its global training locations in the past three years and says it will continue to grow to propose tailor-made solutions to customers right on their “doorsteps” while integrating the latest technologies and Web-based solutions.

Cabin and systems upgrades
Airbus projects that over the next 20 years the upgrade market will be worth $180 billion, driven in part by high competition among airlines that value the “passenger experience” as a differentiator (comfort, connectivity, etc), as well as systems upgrades. Notably, 38 per cent of this market will be in the Asia-Pacific region.
Services by Airbus is the company’s business unit tasked with addressing its customers’ aftermarket needs, and it is clustered around four principal domains, namely maintenance, upgrades, training, and flight operations. 
To support its customers’ maintenance and operational needs, Airbus’ dedicated global material services subsidiary Satair Group ensures reactivity for airlines and MROs worldwide for spare parts. 
In addition, flight hour and total support package (FHS & TSP) services provide flexible and tailor-made solutions for availability and maintenance “by the hour”. 
Last year Services by Airbus also launched NAVBLUE, an company offering user-centric solutions in the flight-operation domain. More recently, to address the growing upgrade market, Services by Airbus created Airbus Interiors Services.