Aircraft Gearbox Global Market Report 2024

The aircraft gearbox market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $3.21 billion in 2023 to $3.47 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1%. The growth observed during the historic period can be credited to several factors, including robust economic expansion in emerging markets, an increase in air traffic, rising commercial aircraft deliveries, and significant investments in geared turbofan engines.

The aircraft gearbox market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $4.65 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6%. Forecasted growth driven by increased demand for military helicopters, expanding aircraft fleet, and intensified research and development. Key trends include new power gearbox launches, technological advancements, partnerships for portfolio expansion, increased market investments for innovative solutions.

The growth of aircraft gearboxes is anticipated to be propelled by an increase in air traffic. This surge in air traffic encompasses a rise in the number of people opting for air travel, an escalation in international tourism, and a heightened demand for commercial aircraft deliveries. The upswing in aviation traffic, attributed to population expansion and economic growth, translates into an increased demand for aircraft engines and associated components, consequently driving the aircraft gearbox market. A notable example is the data reported by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in May 2022, revealing a substantial 76.0% increase in total global air traffic in March 2022. This marked a noteworthy 425.44% rise compared to March 2021. Particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, airlines experienced a remarkable 197.1% increase in traffic in March 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, surpassing the 146.5% growth observed in February 2022 over February 2021. Hence, the escalating air traffic is a significant driver fueling the expansion of the aircraft gearbox market.

Key factor contributing to the growth of the aircraft gearbox market is the increasing research and development (R&D) efforts undertaken by global players to enhance the operational efficiency of aircraft. A notable initiative is the collaboration between Boeing, a prominent US-based aircraft industry company, and CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization), an Australia-based national science agency. In January 2022, these entities launched a new five-year, AU$41 million ($27.6 million) research program. The program encompasses various focus areas, including endeavors to improve aviation sustainability, advancements in digital twin and model-based engineering, exploration of space-related technologies, and the application of technologies to enhance factory safety and productivity. The substantial growth in R&D efforts is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing and innovating aircraft systems, including gearboxes, thereby fostering the growth of the aircraft gearbox market in the forecast period.

Technological advancement stands out as a prominent trend gaining traction in the aircraft gearbox market. Leading companies within the market are placing a strong emphasis on research and development initiatives to introduce cutting-edge aircraft gearboxes, positioning themselves competitively in the industry. An exemplary illustration of this trend is Rolls-Royce, a UK-based aerospace company, which, in March 2021, officially commenced the design of the world's largest aero-engine, the 'UltraFan.' This technologically advanced aircraft engine incorporates a sophisticated 50MW Power Gearbox, currently in the design process in Dahlewitz, Germany. The 50MW Power Gearbox exemplifies a powerful and efficient aircraft gearbox, with the capacity to run as many as 500 family cars. Rolls-Royce's commitment to advancing aviation technology through the development of the UltraFan and its associated gearbox underscores the industry's drive towards innovation for sustainable air travel.

Companies operating in the aircraft gearbox market are strategically focusing on technological advancements and the development of state-of-the-art products to foster growth within the market. In 2023, Airbus Helicopters, a France-based company renowned for providing efficient helicopter solutions, introduced an upgraded main gearbox for the H225 helicopter. As part of the company's ongoing investment in the heavy twin helicopter, the new gearbox, known as the eMGB, is designed to elevate safety standards and reduce maintenance workloads for customers. Notably, the enhanced main gearbox will extend the component's time before overhaul (TBO) from 1,000 hours to 2,000 hours, providing increased robustness and improving the overall maintenance plan for the H225. This emphasis on technological advancement reflects the industry's commitment to enhancing the performance, efficiency, and safety of aircraft gearboxes to meet evolving market demands.

In June 2021, Airbus Helicopters, a French-based commercial aircraft manufacturer, entered into an agreement to acquire ZF Luftfahrttechnik GmbH from ZF Friedrichshafen AG, a German technology provider to the automotive sector. The undisclosed acquisition aimed to bolster Airbus' MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) capacity while enhancing fleet availability for programs covered in ZF Luftfahrttechnik's product portfolio. ZF Luftfahrttechnik GmbH specializes in designing, developing, and manufacturing transmission systems and gearboxes for helicopters and aircraft and is based in Germany.

Major companies operating in the aircraft gearbox market report are Safran, Triumph Group, Liebherr, The Boeing Group, General Electric, Rexnord Corporation, Rolls-Royce PLC, Aero Gear, SKF, Northstar Aerospace, Airnetz Aviation Pvt Ltd., Aroon Aviation Services Pvt Ltd., BAE Systems India Services Pvt Ltd., Bharat Dynamics Ltd., Bharat Electronics Ltd., BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd., GE India, Nabtesco Corporation, Airbus SE, Harbin Aircraft Industry Group, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation, Shanghai Aircraft Industry Corporation, Hongdu Aviation Industry Group, Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation, Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corporation, Meggitt PLC, Eaton Corporation PLC, Airbus S.A. S, ZF Luftfahrttechnik, ThyssenKrupp AG, CEF Industries, The Timken Company, PBS Velka Bites, Avion Corporation, GE Aerospace, AAR Corp, Circor International Inc., Collins Aerospace, Héroux-Devtek Inc., Magellan Aerospace Corporation, Bombardier Inc., Bell Textron Inc., Pratt & Whitney Canada, KF Aerospace, Elbit Systems Ltd., Israel Aerospace Industries, Saudi Aircraft Accessories and Components Company, Mubadala Aerospace, Alp Aviation, Turkish Technic Inc., Turkish Aircraft Industries Corporation, Parker-Hannifin Corporation, Moog Inc.

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

This gearbox constitutes a contained gear train, comprising integrated gears housed within a mechanical enclosure. Key components include gears, housing, bearings, and related elements. Gears are rotating devices featuring teeth (cogs) that facilitate their functionality. Aircraft gearboxes cater to various aircraft types, including civil and military aviation, and come in retrofit or line fit configurations. They encompass diverse gearbox types such as accessory, actuation, reduction, tail rotor, and auxiliary power unit, among others. These gearboxes find applications in both engines and airframes.

The aircraft gearbox market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides aircraft gearbox market statistics, including aircraft gearbox industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with aircraft gearbox market share, detailed aircraft gearbox market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the aircraft gearbox industry. This aircraft gearbox 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.

The aircraft gearbox market consists of sales of shafts, covers, helical gearboxes, planetary gear boxes, worm gear boxes, and crane duty gear boxes. 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.