Aircraft Lightning Protection Global Market Report 2024

The aircraft lightning protection market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $4.7 billion in 2023 to $5.25 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6%. Historical growth can be attributed to the integration of sensors and detection systems, addressing climate resilience and severe weather events, a significant focus on research and development, and the overall increase in air traffic.

The aircraft lightning protection market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.83 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5%. Forecasted growth is due to lightweight solutions, automation, globalization, R&D in lightning protection, and climate resilience. Major trends include advanced materials, strict safety regulations, aircraft tech advancements, and ongoing R&D efforts.

The rise in cost-effective air travel is anticipated to drive the expansion of the aircraft lightning protection market. As flight affordability increases, a growing number of consumers opt for air travel more frequently, thereby fostering heightened aircraft production. This surge in manufacturing activities significantly contributes to the global growth of aircraft lightning protection systems. Illustratively, in 2021, Frontier Airlines introduced a buy-one, get-one promotional offer, while JetBlue Airways conducted a three-day sale offering fares as low as $49 one-way from New York. Concurrently, Hawaiian Airlines provided round-trip airfares between Hawaii and the West Coast for as little as $123. This increased accessibility to affordable air travel is poised to fuel the demand for aircraft lightning protection systems, bolstering their market growth trajectory.

The anticipated rise in air traffic is poised to drive the expansion of the aircraft lightning protection market in the foreseeable future. Air traffic encompasses the movement of aircraft within airspace, encompassing take-offs, landings, and navigation of various aerial vehicles, including planes and helicopters. As the volume of air traffic continues its upward trajectory, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew assumes heightened importance. Aircraft employ lightning protection systems, employing conductive materials within the airframe and bonding techniques, to redirect lightning strikes away from critical components and systems. This crucial mechanism ensures passenger safety and prevents electrical damage. For instance, a report from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics published in March 2023 highlighted a substantial surge in US airline transportation, with a 30% year-on-year increase, amounting to 194 million more passengers transported in 2022 compared to 2021. Notably, US airlines handled 853 million passengers from January to December 2022 (unadjusted), a significant rise from 658 million in 2021 and 388 million in 2020. Consequently, the escalating volume of air traffic stands as a primary driver propelling the growth of the aircraft lightning protection market.

A significant trend gaining traction within the market is the increasing adoption of lightning sensor systems. These systems, integrated into aircraft, consist of electric field sensors designed to continuously monitor the electrical conditions in the airplane's environment. Leveraging onboard algorithms, these sensors ascertain the potential risk of lightning charges, thereby enhancing situational awareness and safety measures. As an example, Honeywell's lightning sensor system, the LSZ-860, is proficient in detecting regions of lightning activity within a 200-nautical mile radius surrounding the aircraft, contributing significantly to lightning risk assessment and mitigation measures.

Prominent entities within the aircraft lightning protection market are prioritizing strategic collaborations to introduce innovative solutions and uphold elevated safety benchmarks. Strategic collaborations involve cooperative partnerships between independent entities aimed at achieving shared objectives aligned with their respective strategic goals. An illustrative instance occurred in August 2022 when Rayong Engineering and Plant Service Co. Ltd., a Thailand-based industrial solutions provider, joined forces with Critical Facility (Thailand) Co. Ltd., specializing in lightning protection technologies for industrial and commercial enterprises in Thailand. This collaboration aims to introduce an advanced integrated lightning protection solution, enhancing safety protocols for operators within industrial plants while mitigating potential equipment and machinery damage that could lead to operational disruptions. The service is set to cater to customers across key industries, including petrochemicals, energy, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, packaging, automotive, and electronics, spanning Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. This strategic partnership aims to provide comprehensive lightning protection solutions across diverse industries within the region, fostering improved safety and operational reliability for clientele.

In 2022, Ducommun Incorporated, a California-based company specializing in innovative manufacturing solutions for various sectors, including aerospace, completed the acquisition of Lightning Diversion Systems (LDS) and its subsidiary LS Holdings Company. The undisclosed financial transaction facilitated this acquisition. Through this strategic move, LDS aims to advance and bring to market enhanced lightning protection technology. This technology is geared towards providing wind turbine operators and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) with improved and more cost-effective solutions against lightning strikes. LDS, also based in California, specializes in manufacturing aircraft lightning protection systems.

Major companies operating in the aircraft lightning protection market report are United Parcel Service Inc., The Boeing Company, Airbus SE, Honeywell International Inc., PPG Industries Inc., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Leonardo S.p.A., TE Connectivity Ltd., Textron Inc., Amphenol Corporation, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Microchip Technology Inc., Dassault Aviation SA, Bombardier Inc., Embraer S.A., Saab AB, Cobham plc, Ultra Electronics Holdings plc, LORD Corporation, National Technical Systems Inc., The Gill Corporation, WireMasters Inc., Dayton-Granger Inc., Technical Fibre Products Limited, Dexmet Corporation, Lightning Technologies Inc., LSP Technologies Inc., Avidyne Corporation, AstroSeal Products Manufacturing Inc., Pinnacle Lightning Protection LLC.

North America was the largest region in the aircraft lightning protection market in 2023 and is also expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the aircraft lightning protection market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the aircraft lightning protection market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Aircraft lightning protection encompasses various application types, including lightning protection, lightning detection and warning systems, static wicks, expanded metal foils, transient voltage suppressors, and test services. Lightning protection equipment is typically constructed with thick external metal surfaces designed to resist lightning strikes by mitigating the entry of electromagnetic energy. These protection measures find application in fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles, with both line-fit and retro-fit installations, ensuring comprehensive lightning resilience across diverse aircraft platforms.

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

The aircraft lightning protection market includes revenues earned by entities by wire bundle shields. ground straps. composite structure expanded foils, wire mesh, aluminum flame spray coating, embedded metallic wire, and metallic picture frames. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

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.