Aircraft Actuator Global Market Report 2025

The aircraft actuator market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $18.23 billion in 2024 to $19.92 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to strong economic growth, increased demand for commercial aircraft, expansion of the aerospace and defense industry, stringent environmental regulations, demand for quieter and more comfortable aircraft.

The aircraft actuator market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $28.02 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing consumer disposable income, investment in aircraft fleet expansion, growing demand for unmanned aerial vehicles (uavs), rising emphasis on fuel efficiency. Major trends in the forecast period include electromechanical actuators, health monitoring and predictive maintenance, advanced materials, enhanced safety and redundancy, eco-friendly actuation systems.

The forecast of 8.9% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.3% from the previous estimate for this market.This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US through supply chain disruptions for precision hydraulic actuators, sourced from key regions such as Germany and Japan, which could lead to delays in aircraft assembly and increased maintenance costs.The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The growth in air passenger traffic worldwide is expected to significantly influence the aircraft actuator market. Aircraft actuators play a crucial role in various functions, particularly in adjusting flight control surfaces. With the ongoing economic growth and increased consumer spending, developing countries are observing a surge in air passenger traffic. For instance, based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the global passenger traffic notably increased by 76% in March 2022 compared to March 2021. In China, domestic air traffic saw an 11.7% increase in March 2022. These statistics highlight the substantial growth in air passenger traffic, a driving force behind the expansion of the aircraft actuator market.

An increase in the demand for lightweight insulation materials is anticipated to drive the growth of the aircraft insulation market in the future. Lightweight insulation materials are characterized by their low thermal conductivity, which means that less thickness is required compared to most other insulants to achieve a specific level of thermal performance. These materials represent advancements in aircraft insulation technology that can indirectly enhance the demand for aircraft actuators by improving the overall performance, comfort, and safety of modern aircraft. For example, in February 2022, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a research university in the US, developed a new lightweight material that is stronger than steel yet as light as plastic. This material, produced through a novel polymerization process, can be manufactured in large quantities and has potential applications in various industries, including automotive and aerospace. Consequently, the rising demand for aircraft insulation materials is fueling the growth of the aircraft actuators market.

Technological advancements have become the central trend gaining traction in the aircraft actuator market. Major companies in this sector are concentrating on developing technologically advanced products to bolster their market position. For example, in July 2022, Curtiss-Wright Corporation, a US-based aviation firm, was selected by Airbus UpNext to provide custom electromechanical actuation (EMA) technology for the eXtra performance WING demonstrator project. This initiative aims to improve decarbonization and efficiency in next-generation aircraft. The EMA technology offers substantial benefits, including enhanced reliability, improved energy efficiency, and reduced weight, all of which are crucial for creating more sustainable aviation solutions.

Aircraft actuators play a crucial role in adjusting flight control surfaces such as elevators, rudders, ailerons, flaps, slats, and spoilers. These mechanical devices are adept at transferring and converting motion energy from one form to another. In the aviation sector, actuation systems find diverse applications, ranging from controlling cargo bay doors and landing gear to managing engine components and flight control surfaces.

The primary types of aircraft actuators include hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, electromechanical, and electrohydraulic. Hydraulic actuators utilize hydraulic power to execute mechanical tasks, employing cylinders or fluid motors. The mechanical motion generated by hydraulic actuators results in linear, rotational, or oscillatory output motions. These motions, including linear and rotary, are utilized across various platforms, including fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Aircraft actuators serve multiple end-users, encompassing commercial aircraft, military aircraft, and other aviation applications.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sharp increase in U.S. tariffs and resulting trade disputes in spring 2025 are significantly affecting the aerospace and defense sector. Prices for key materials such as titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics primarily sourced from international suppliers have surged. Defense contractors, constrained by fixed-price government contracts, are forced to absorb these rising costs. Meanwhile, commercial aerospace companies are encountering resistance from airlines over increased aircraft prices. In addition, customs delays are disrupting already tight production timelines for jets and satellites. In response, the industry is stockpiling essential materials, pursuing import waivers for defense-related goods, and working with allied nations to diversify supply chains.

The aircraft actuators market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides aircraft actuators market statistics, including aircraft actuators industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an aircraft actuators market share, detailed aircraft actuators market segments, aircraft actuators market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the aircraft actuators industry. This aircraft actuators market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

Major companies in the aircraft actuator market are forming strategic collaborations to provide insulation systems for Airbus. Strategic collaborations refer to mutually beneficial partnerships between two or more distinct enterprises that temporarily combine resources and efforts to achieve their strategic objectives. In February 2022, Swissport International AG, a Switzerland-based provider of airport ground services and air cargo handling, joined forces with American Airlines, a US-based airline, to enhance ground handling services at various U.S. airports. This strategic alliance aims to improve efficiency and service quality in areas such as passenger handling, ramp services, and cargo operations. By merging Swissport's expertise with American Airlines' extensive operations, the partnership seeks to deliver more streamlined and reliable ground handling services.

In September 2022, Parker Hannifin Corporation, a US-based manufacturing firm, acquired Meggitt Plc for a total of $6.91 billion. This acquisition was intended to enhance Parker Hannifin's capabilities in advanced aerospace technologies, including electromechanical actuation systems. The merger is anticipated to have a significant effect on various aviation markets, particularly in the fast-growing UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) and UAM (urban air mobility) sectors. Meggitt Plc is a UK-based company specializing in aerospace and defense.

Major companies operating in the aircraft actuator market include Honeywell International Inc., Eaton Corporation, Moog Inc., Parker Hannifin Corporation, Safran S.A., Meggitt plc, Woodward Inc., Sitec Aerospace GmbH, Progressive Automations Inc., Tamagawa Seiki Co. Ltd., Aero Space Controls Corporation, Beaver Aerospace & Defense Inc., Rockwell Collins Inc., Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Liebherr Group, Nabtesco Corporation, SKF Group, Arkwin Industries Inc., ITT Inc., AAR Corporation, GE Aviation Systems LLC, TransDigm Group Incorporated, BAE Systems plc, Héroux-Devtek Inc., Raytheon Technologies Corp., Lufthansa Technik AG, Electromech Technologies LLC, Hemisphere Engineering Inc., United Technologies Corp.

North America was the largest region in the aircraft actuators market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the aircraft actuators market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, and Africa.

The countries covered in the aircraft actuators market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.

The aircraft actuators market consists of sales of aircraft actuators with function such as retracting and extending landing gear, adjusting flight control surfaces and positioning engine inlet guide vanes and thrust reversers. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.