Aircraft Lighting Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Aircraft Type (Fixed Wing and Rotary Wing), By Lighting Type (Interior Lights and Exterior Lights), By Point of Sale (OEM and Aftermarket), and Regional Forecast, 2023-2030

The global aircraft lighting market size was valued at USD 2.26 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from USD 2.50 billion in 2023 to USD 4.41 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.45% during the forecast period.

Aircraft lighting systems provide illumination for both interior and exterior applications. The exterior lights illuminate operations such as navigation landing at night, inspecting icing conditions, and safety from a midair collision. Similarly, interior lighting offers illuminated instruments, cockpits, cabins, and other sections occupied by passengers or crew members. Certain lighting solutions, such as warning and indicator lights, indicate the operation status of equipment. The aircraft interior light is the main focus of the lighting system as it ensures passenger safety and comfort. Cabin lighting is an important part of ensuring the best in-flight passenger experience.

In addition, an efficient aircraft lighting system provides great travel experience and helps passengers to undertake different leisure activities. Understanding the importance of effective aircraft lighting has led to key market players redesigning, redeveloping, upgrading, and adopting smart & advanced cabin lighting to increase customer safety and accentuate comfort levels. Interior cabin lighting is crucial in creating a more comfortable and relaxing atmosphere, majorly on long-duration flights. Major players in the market are spending more on developing interior and exterior lights with high illumination capabilities and low maintenance costs. This, in turn, is predicted to expand the aircraft lighting market share over the forecast period.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Aviation Industry Faced Canceled Orders and Production Halts Amid Pandemic Impeding Market Growth

The pandemic had primarily affected the market in the aviation industry. It was visible in different parameters, including low passenger air traffic, delays in aircraft deliveries, and cancellation of aircraft orders. In addition, all airport operations, including procurement and demand creation of new aircraft, were halted, disrupting production and the overall supply chain of aircraft production and procurement. Moreover, aircraft values significantly changed with narrow-body aircraft, particularly selling at a higher rate than normal, leading to order cancellations from major airlines globally. As the number of cases subsided, leading to the global economy evolving with the changes, the aviation industry started gaining momentum with time and is anticipated to grow exponentially over the forecast period. 

LATEST TRENDS

Growing Demand for Aesthetic, Lightweight, and Customized Lighting to Accentuate Market Growth

In recent years, OEMs and airlines have directed their focus toward the enhancement of visually pleasing lighting. Previously aircraft lighting wasn’t given much priority since safety and demand for lightweight aircraft component-making were the major focus of aircraft producers. With time, the manufacturers understood that a monotonous tone and unpleasant lights didn’t provide as much comfort to the passengers. On longer-duration flights, passengers felt uncomfortable at a high altitude. Therefore, a need arose to include lightweight lighting pleasing to the human eyes to ease the passenger during the journey. Moreover, the requirement to incorporate luxurious elements within aircraft for affluent clientele has opened up opportunities for OEMs to produce and acquire opulent lighting solutions, ensuring the well-being and safety of passengers at elevated altitude.

• For instance, in March 2023, Virgin Atlantic Airlines unveiled an enhanced lighting and service concept ahead of introducing its A330 NEO aircraft. The airlines objective is to revolutionize the onboard journey through individual cabin designs and services. The updated physical and technological aspects offer upgraded lighting and personalized services, fostering improved interaction between passengers and flight crew.

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DRIVING FACTORS

Rising Demand and Adoption of Energy-Saving Aircraft Lighting Supports Market Growth

The Light-Emitting Diode (LED) is the main lighting solution highly adopted in aircraft cabin lighting. The advanced technology delivers high durability, energy efficiency, and luminosity, bringing plenty of benefits to an aircraft. Globally, LED lights have been preferred recently to traditional bulbs, owing to the multiple uses and advantages of LEDs, which are anticipated to fasten the development of energy-efficient aircraft LED lights for exterior and interior use. The operational cost is lower than other types of illumination, such as fluorescent lamps. Thus, the adoption of LED and other advanced lighting systems to drive aircraft lighting market growth.

LED lights come with an extended quality and service life than traditional bulbs. Additionally, after installation of the incandescent lights, it requires regular inspection. It is replaced after its life cycle in case of complete failure or even when the intensity of the light is reduced. At the same time, LED lights have an average MTBF of approximately 10,000 hours or 10 years, equivalent to the aircraft's service life.

Rising Aircraft Refurbishment Drive Market Growth by Extending Lifespan of Older Aircraft

In recent times, there has been an increase in the requirement for refurbishment and restoration of aging airplanes and corporate jets. Given that a significant number of aircraft are retired and overhauled annually, there exists a necessity to be renovate and refurbish older airplanes as either cargo or passenger airplanes. Several operators and airlines have initiated the process of renewing with cutting-edge lighting solutions as a modernization measure. Additionally, airline operators globally highly invest in aircraft modernization programs and increase contracts with OEMs to upgrade traditional cabin interiors and aircraft lighting systems, as the airline industry mainly focuses on enhancing passenger experience and comfort by installing advanced aircraft interior systems. Growing expenditure on the aviation sector and growing spending on the development and design of advanced aircraft lighting drive market growth.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Existing Aircraft Backlog and Delayed Deliveries to Limit Market Growth

There has been a decrease in aircraft deliveries since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. A sudden halt of all airport operations disrupted the supply chain, making accessing raw materials, workforce, and production more difficult. All these aftermaths combined led to a huge downfall in the overall demand and deliveries of aircraft globally, thereby widening the aircraft backlog count. All OEMs are working at full capacity to fulfill the backlog created due to the pandemic.

• For instance, in January 2023, a leading OEM, Airbus S.A.S., reported a backlog of 7,239 aircraft. Of the total aircraft backlog, 91% were A320 and A220ceo/neo narrow bodies. However, The Boeing Company has accumulated 5,430 aircraft backlog, of which 79% is narrow body.

Additionally, growing demand from airline operators as an aftermath of COVID-19 is further growing the backlog, enabling the OEMs to widen their scope and capacity of production. A huge backlog of deliveries will limit the market to grow to some extent and thus hamper the market growth.

SEGMENTATION

By Aircraft Type Analysis

Growing Airline Fleet to Drive Market Growth for Fixed-Wing Segment

Based on aircraft type, the market is categorized into fixed-wing and rotary-wing. The fixed-wing aircraft type is further segmented into commercial aircraft, military aircraft, regional jet, and business jets and general aircraft. The rotary-wing aircraft type is further bifurcated into commercial helicopters and military helicopters.

The fixed-wing segment held the highest market share in 2021, owing to strong demand and presence globally. A high rise in demand for commercial and military aircraft is leading market growth for the fixed-wing segment. Additionally, a growing net worth of individuals leading in higher purchasing power has increased leisure travel and, thus, demand for business jets. As the number of fixed-wing aircraft deliveries grows yearly, the market is also expected to grow.

The rotary-wing segment is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR due to the growing demand for helicopters for commercial purposes such as air ambulances and tourism. Additionally, the increase in the growing procurement of military aircraft is one of the major reasons for segment growth during the forecast period. For Instance,

• For instance, in January 2022, the U.S. Marine Corps received its first CH-53K King Stallions. The helicopter is one of the most powerful heavy-lift helicopters in the U.S. military. 

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By Lighting Type Analysis 

Growing Demand for Aesthetic Lighting to Propel Interior Lights Segment Growth

According to lighting type, the market is segmented into interior lights and exterior lights. Interior lights segment is further segmented into signage lights, ceiling & wall lights, floor path lighting, reading lights, and lavatory lights. Furthermore, the exterior lights segment is further segmented into emergency lights, navigation lights, and others.  

The interior lights segment grew more during the base year due to the growing adoption of modern-generation mood lighting and LED lights for a high degree of passenger safety and comfort. Additionally, airline operators globally prefer to install LED lighting in the cabin to take ultimate advantage of the effects that mood lighting has on passengers. The exterior lights segment accounted for a significant market share owing to increased research and development expenditure by key OEMs.

By Point of Sale Analysis 

Growing Aircraft Refurbishment to Boost Aftermarket Segmental Growth  

Based on point of sale, the market is divided into OEM and aftermarket.

The aftermarket segment accounted for the largest share in 2022. The segment is anticipated to lead the market in the forecast period owing to the rising demand for aircraft lighting customization according to customers’ needs. The segment's growth is also attributed to increasing aircraft flight hours. A rise in air passenger traffic leads to increased use of lights. These lights required detailed inspection and bulb replacements on a period specified by the manufacturer.

The OEM segment is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR from 2023-2030, owing to increased demand for aesthetically pleasing lighting. Furthermore, the growing demand for new-gen aircraft in the U.S. and emerging countries such as China and India in the Asia Pacific is anticipated to aid the market's growth in forthcoming years.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

The global market is segmented into regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and the rest of the world.

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North America was valued at USD 0.71 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to dominate the market due to the presence of top aircraft OEMs, such as Boeing and Bombardier, among many others, in this region. Furthermore, North America has the largest market in the world, leading to more technological advancements and designs for aircraft lighting.

Asia Pacific is predicted to grow at the highest CAGR due to the rising number of OEMs. The growth of the aviation sector in the Asia Pacific stands out as a primary driver behind the advancement of the market in Asia Pacific. Furthermore, India has the world’s third-largest civil aviation market, and the increasing aerospace infrastructure and defense spending will create lucrative growth opportunities in forthcoming years.

Europe accounted for the second-highest market share in 2022. The growth is due to the growing adoption of advanced LED lighting technology for a cabin for modern-generation aircraft. Additionally, the presence of key players such as Diehl Stiftung & Co. KG, STG Aerospace Limited Safran, Cobham plc, and Oxley Group are some of the major companies in the market and have some of the largest customer bases globally. The Middle East market is anticipated to witness significant growth in the forecast period owing to the emerging aviation industry and demand for luxury interiors in the region

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Players Adapt Strategies to Ensure Market Survival by Expanding Service Portfolio

The global market is highly fragmented, with various key players such as Astronics Corporation, Cobham Plc., Honeywell International Inc., Diehl Stiftung & Co. KG, Luminator Technology Group, and Safran. These players focus on providing a wide scope of energy-efficient solutions for fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. Besides, increasing investment in R&D activities and the rising focus on strategic acquisition and collaboration strategy would support expanding its product and brand portfolios.

List of Key Companies Profiled:

• Astronics Corporation (U.S.)


• Aveo Engineering Group s.r.o (Czech Republic)


• Bruce Aerospace (U.S.)


• Cobham plc (U.K.)


• Collins Aerospace (U.S.)


• Diehl Stiftung & Co. KG (Germany)


• Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.)


• Luminator Technology Group (U.S.)


• Oxley Group (U.K.)


• Safran (France)


• Soderberg Manufacturing Company (U.S.)


• STG Aerospace Limited (U.K.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

February 2022 – Diehl Aerospace, a subsidiary of Diehl Aviation, has been awarded a contract extension by Boeing to deliver the interior lighting system for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The first contract for LED interior lighting development and serial production for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was signed in 2005.

February 2022 – Safran Electronics & Defense Services Asia announced that it increased its scope of MRO activities. In addition, Safran Electronics & Defense Services Asia received new repair scopes, including external lighting, wiper system, cockpit control systems, and cargo door.

February 2022 – KLM Royal Dutch Airlines awarded a contract to STG Aerospace to upgrade their aircraft with the latest generation of safe-Tglo (SSUL-X) emergency floor path marking system. KLM has selected STG’s unique (18mm) solution in daylight blue color to complement their cabin design and branding.

October 2022- Bombardier Inc., an aviation firm based in Canada, introduced executive cabins for their business jets, the Global 7500 and Global 8000 models. The new executive cabins embody an open office layout, incorporating three functional areas intended to optimize corporate collaboration and networking, thereby enhancing productivity among co-traveling passengers.

September 2021– Collins Aerospace launched Lilac-UV, an ultraviolet (UV) lighting system to disinfect aircraft interiors in practically any place a light is mounted inside an aircraft. Lilac-UV emits a faint violet light that disinfects surfaces in seconds to minutes. Lilac-UV has various applications, such as in restrooms, galleys, flight decks, cargo bays, and throughout the cabin, with scheduled cleanings or manual treatments available during 

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