Boeing has now included commercial aviation services into its latest Current Market Outlook, which comprises ground and cargo operations, engineering and maintenance services, flight operations, as well as marketing and customer services. Revenue for aviation services is predicted to exceed dollars created by new aircraft deliveries. Boeing expects the commercial aviation support 20-year market to be worth almost $8.5 trillion between 2017 and 2036, predicting that annual spend will more than double to more than $581 billion by 2036.
Although ground and cargo ops – airport infrastructure and operations – comprises the lion’s share of these predicted dollars, maintenance and engineering services form more than a quarter of that predicted value. Boeing expects this aviation services sector to benefit significantly from the continuing digitalisation of services as inspection technologies and predictive maintenance techniques increase efficiency and minimise unscheduled maintenance. Similarly, continuing adoption of data analytics will optimise maintenance plans, with information services expected to grow by 5% annually. Additive manufacturing will also cut inventory costs and improve repairs. With all of these technological advances however, the workforce will need to enhance current skills and gain new ones to take full advantage of their benefits for both operator and owner.
The main demand for services echoes demand for aircraft, with the most growth expected in Asia, with North America and Europe close behind.
Flight operations too will become disrupted as e-enabled aircraft grow from 3% of the current fleet to 70% over the next 20 years, as Boeing predicts. This will also require an uptick in training and new ways of working to enhance both the aircraft operator’s and their customers’ onboard experiences.
Source: Boeing Current Market Outlook 2017
