Aircraft towbars Global Market Report 2024

The aircraft towbars market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.87 billion in 2023 to $3.01 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%. The growth witnessed during the historic period can be attributed to several factors. These include the overall growth of the air travel industry, expansions in airport infrastructure to accommodate increasing demands, fleet expansions undertaken by airlines, adherence to stringent safety regulations, and the rising operations in cargo and freight transportation within the aviation sector. These combined elements significantly contributed to the expansion and development of the aircraft towbar industry.

The aircraft towbars market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.6 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period is influenced by several key factors. These include a heightened focus on improving ground handling efficiency, the introduction of larger and more advanced aircraft models, the global recovery and expansion of air traffic, the integration of digital technologies into ground operations, and the emphasis on sustainable, lightweight designs for aircraft towbars. Key trends expected in this period encompass advancements in safety features for towbars, the incorporation of remote control capabilities, ensuring compliance with evolving aviation standards, the implementation of predictive maintenance solutions, and the introduction of innovative smart electric towbars designed to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in ground handling operations within the aviation industry.

The anticipated growth in air traffic is set to drive the expansion of the aircraft towbars market. Air traffic, which encompasses the various movements of aircraft in airspace, including take-offs, landings, and en-route flights, necessitates efficient ground handling operations. Aircraft towbars play a crucial role in these operations by aiding in the movement and towing of aircraft for various purposes, such as relocation, positioning for loading and unloading, and assistance during pushback and maintenance. With the increasing air traffic, as indicated by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reporting a 30% year-on-year increase, with U.S. airlines carrying 853 million passengers in 2022 compared to 658 million in 2021, the demand for aircraft towbars is expected to rise significantly. This growth trend aligns with the need for enhanced ground support equipment to facilitate the safe and efficient handling of aircraft on the ground.

The growth of the aircraft towbars market is further propelled by the rising living standards and disposable incomes in emerging nations. As living standards improve and disposable incomes increase in developing economies, more individuals and households can afford air travel for both business and leisure. This heightened demand for air travel contributes to increased air traffic, necessitating the expansion of airport infrastructure and the adoption of efficient ground support equipment, including aircraft towbars, to manage the movement of aircraft on the ground. For instance, the OECD Better Life Index notes that the average household net-adjusted disposable income per capita in the United States is significantly higher than the OECD average, reflecting the capacity of individuals to spend on air travel. The rise in living standards and disposable incomes in emerging nations is thus a driving force behind the growth of the aircraft towbars market.

A key trend gaining popularity in the aircraft towbars market is the formation of strategic partnerships among major industry players. Companies in the aircraft towbars market are increasingly engaging in partnerships and collaborative relationships to enhance their positions in the market. An example of this trend is the partnership between Barfield Inc., a U.S. aviation company, and Dedienne Aerospace, a French aerospace maintenance tooling company, established in March 2023. This partnership aims to provide services and distribute ground support test equipment, contributing to the strengthening of both companies' positions in the U.S. Another noteworthy collaboration is between Menzies Aviation Limited, a UK-based logistics and airport services company, and Emirates Group, a UAE-based aviation company. Formed in April 2021, this partnership covers various aspects of ground handling, including passenger handling, ramp handling, cargo handling, fueling, and the utilization of essential equipment such as aircraft towbars. These strategic partnerships play a crucial role in sustaining market positions and fostering growth in the aircraft towbars sector.

Major players in the market are actively focused on developing technologically advanced products to cater to the growing demand and broaden their customer base. A notable example is the introduction of the electric and all-wheel-drive towbar - a ground support vehicle designed for efficiently moving aircraft on the ground without the need for a traditional towbar. In April 2023, Eagle Tugs, a prominent U.S.-based aircraft equipment manufacturer, unveiled the ETT-X line - a series of fully electric tractors equipped with all-wheel drive capabilities. This innovative line includes two configurations such as the ETT-8X, designed with an 8,000-pound drawbar pull and the ability to tow up to 115,000 lbs, and the ETT-12X, featuring a 12,000-pound drawbar pull and a towing capacity of 171,000 lbs. The ETT-X series stands out as an environmentally friendly solution suitable for a diverse range of aviation customers, offering compatibility with over 1,000 aircraft platforms. Electric Ground Support Equipment (eGSE) such as the ETT-X is particularly well-suited for aircraft towing and taxiing, given that these operations typically involve short distances, allowing for efficient and eco-friendly solutions.

In September 2022, Vestergaard Company, a Denmark-based manufacturer, distributor, and supporter of advanced ground support equipment (GSE), made a strategic move by acquiring Kalmar Motor AB for an undisclosed amount. Kalmar Motor AB, based in Sweden, is a manufacturing company specializing in the production of aircraft towbars and other ground support equipment. Through this acquisition, Vestergaard Company aims to expand its product portfolio, enter new markets, and reinforce its position in the industry. This strategic decision reflects the company's commitment to growth and innovation in the field of ground support equipment, emphasizing the importance of continually enhancing product offerings and extending market reach.

Major companies operating in the aircraft towbars market report are Makro Aero, John Bean Technologies Corporation, Textron Ground Support Equipment Inc., Weihai Guangtai Airport Equipment Co. Ltd., Tronair Inc., Red Box International Limited, Goldhofer AG, Clyde Machines Inc., Hydro Systems USA Inc., SAE International, Cavotec SA, Harlan Global Manufacturing LLC, Dedienne Aerospace SAS, DENGE Airport Equipment,AERO Specialties Inc., Aero Pacific Corporation, TLD Group, Aeroservicios USA Inc., Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co.,Techman-Head Group, Eagle Tugs, Zenith Aircraft Company, Aviation Ground Equipment Corp., Minimax Aircraft Tug LLC, JMS AG, Brackett Aircraft Company, K & M airporttechnik GmbH, Langa Industrial SA, Hall Industries Inc., HYDRO Systems KG.

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

The primary product categories within the realm of aircraft towbars include multi-head and standard/universal towbars. Multi-head towbars feature multiple interchangeable or adjustable heads or attachments. This category encompasses conventional towbars, towbarless aircraft tractors, and electric towbars. These towbars are typically constructed using aluminum and steel materials and employ mechanisms such as shear pins and clamps. End-users of these products include airlines, ground handling service providers, as well as military and defense entities.

The aircraft towbars market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides aircraft towbars market statistics, including aircraft towbars industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an aircraft towbars market share, detailed aircraft towbars market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the aircraft towbars industry. This aircraft towbars 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 towbars market consists of sales of towbar heads, main gear towbars, nose gear towbars, customized towbars, towbar less towing systems, lightweight towbars, heavy-duty towbars, and towbar accessories. 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.