Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Portable (Class 1 and Class 2) and Installed), By Component (Hardware and Software), By Platform (Commercial and Military), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global electronic flight bag (EFB) market size was valued at USD 3.6 million in 2023. The market is projected to grow from USD 4.02 million in 2024 to USD 7.61 million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.3%  during the forecast period. North America dominated the electronic flight bag market with a market share of 36.39% in 2023.

An electronic flight bag (EFB) stores and retrieves documents needed for flight operations such as aeronautical charts, operating manuals, airport information, weather information, route information, flight log, and other required information. The EFB also provides real-time data, which helps the pilot operate and reduces aircraft weight, improving fuel efficiency. The surge in commercial aircraft deliveries and the rising safety concerns is driving the market. Similarly, the focus on enhanced operational efficiency will spur opportunities for the market.

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 impact, a decrease in the delivery of new aircraft had hampered the growth of the market. Reduced production and delivery by major aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus SAS and The Boeing Company till April 2020 has largely impacted the overall growth rate of the market. The overall supply chain of the electronic flight bag hampered the production of the products and services in the market.

Electronic Flight Bag Market Trends

Rising Adoption of Integrated and Smart EFB Solutions to Lead to Electronic Flight Bag Market Growth

The rise in demand for advanced electronic flight bag solutions increases airline efficiencies by lowering ground operation costs, and streamlining pilot workflows is likely to boost the demand for the market.

• For instance, Jeppesen developed a suite of EFB solutions that allow most significant tools and data communication through aircraft connectivity, reducing flight plan production, distribution, and storage costs by entirely digitizing the flight briefing process.


• Similarly, Thales Group has designed and developed Thales Pad, a flight plan hardware integrated with the Aviobook software suite. This is seamlessly connected to the avionics suite through an Aircraft Interface Device (AID). This system is a high-performance, highly reliable, lightweight, durable, and low-cost electronic flight plan system.

Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) Market Growth Factors

Surge in Commercial Aircraft Deliveries to Boost Market Growth

Strong economic growth and the increasing middle-class population are some of the reasons for an increase in air passenger traffic. Owing to the rising number of passengers traveling by air, the airliners are focused on expanding their fleets. Thus, the rise in demand for air travel has facilitated the growth of commercial aircraft, which, in turn, has increased the demand for flight bags in aviation industry. Moreover, the growing demand for next-generation aircraft is expected to propel the growth of the EFB market analysis. The rise in aircraft deliveries in emerging economies in Asia-Pacific is anticipated to fuel market growth. The increase in passenger travel due to the rapid globalization of various industries is further expected to drive market growth.

Rising Need for Low Fuel Cost to Support Market Growth 

The conventional pilot’s flight bag helps the pilot operate the aircraft and has been replaced by an electronic flight bag. The typical flight bag is heavy, weighing around 40 pounds, whereas an EFB weighs approximately 5 pounds. The weight advantage is driving the growth of the market as the overall weight of an aircraft is the most important factor to increase operational efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. Thus, it helps in reducing the overall weight of the aircraft, which increases efficiency. Thus, the need to improve operational efficiency and reduce fuel cost is anticipated to boost the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Leading airline operators are constantly focused on introducing lightweight materials and improving the aerodynamics of airplane body to improve fuel burning and increase efficiency in flying.

Rising Safety Concerns and Real-Time Access of Information to Surge Demand for Electronic Flight Bag

Passenger safety is the most important concern of airlines due to which procurement of next-generation aircraft has been increased. Besides, the real-time access of information helps the pilot stay up to date with live weather information while assisting in route management. The rising fluctuations in climate change have increased the concern towards passenger safety. Furthermore, the system is highly efficient in documenting and sorting data of various passengers, allowing aircraft operators and pilots to access a variety of information such as weather info, airport information, and other similar data logs.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Capital Cost Involved in Implementation of EFBs to Hamper Growth

The cost involved in implementing electronic flight bag is restraining the market growth as the cost is considerably higher. Minor domestic airlines avoid employing EFBs owing to their higher initial capital cost. Also, the cost of updating and maintaining the software adds to the financial burden of airlines.

Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) Market Segmentation Analysis

By Type Analysis

Portable Electronic Flight Bag Segment to Dominate

Based on type, the market is divided into the portable and installed segment. The portable EFB segment is further classified into Class 1 and Class 2.

The portable segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. The portable Class 2 EFBs is anticipated to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period, owing to the portability and capability of the products. Moreover, Class 2 portable electronic flight bag does not require airworthiness authorization, which makes it easier to use.

By Component Analysis

Software Segment to Grow at Higher CAGR

Based on the component, the market is classified into hardware and software.

The hardware segment is further divided into Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 segments.

The hardware segment is predicted to be the largest segment during the forecast period. In contrast, the software segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment, owing to rapid development in the software for the systems. The developers are focusing on including operations of aircraft cockpit into the electronic flight bag suits.

By Platform Analysis

Rising Commercial Aircraft Fleet to Create Demand for EFBs

Based on the platform, the market is segmented into commercial and military.

The commercial segment dominated the market in 2023 and is expected to grow at a higher CAGR, owing to a large commercial aircraft fleet. The rising demand for air travel, coupled with improving economies, is expected to fuel the market growth.

The military segment is expected to witness substantial growth in the market during the forecast period, owing to the increasing military aircraft procurement in developing countries such as India.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

The global market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America.

North America stood at USD 1.31 million in 2023. North America is estimated to dominate the global market during the forecast period owing to rising demand for next-generation aircraft in the region. Moreover, the dominance of the market is due to the presence of key players in the region, such as the Boeing Company, Collins Aerospace, and others.

The market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest-growing due to the rise in aircraft deliveries in emerging economies such as China and India. The improving economy and rising air passenger traffic have led to an increase in aircraft procurement by airliners. Moreover, the growing focus on achieving higher fuel efficiency by reducing the overall weight of the electronic systems is expected to drive market growth in the region.

Europe is anticipated to showcase significant growth in the market due to the rise in investments in the cockpit's advancement and increased demand for more accurate in-flight operation manuals.

The market in the Middle East is expected to develop due to rising tourism in countries located in this region.

List of Key Companies in Electronic Flight Bag Market

Airbus SAS Announces its Plan to Strengthen Position and Profitability in Market

Airbus SAS is a leading global provider of aircraft and aerospace services. The company’s strategy is focused on providing cutting-edge technologies and offering safer and better-connected services. Airbus’s connected services offer smart execution of maintenance data which reduces costs and improves profitability.

Other major players in the market are Thales Group, The Boeing Company, Collins Aerospace, and others. The companies primarily focus on contracts, which helps them strengthen their position in the market. Key players are engaged in mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships to gain an advantage over competitors.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Airbus SAS (the Netherlands)


• The Boeing Company (The U.S.)


• Collins Aerospace (The U.S.)


• L3Harris Technologies Inc. (The U.S.)


• Thales Group (France)


• CMC Electronics Inc. (Canada)


• Jeppesen (The U.S.)


• Astronautics Corporation of America (The U.S.)


• Lufthansa Systems (Germany)


• DAC International, Inc. (The U.S.)


• Teledyne Controls (The U.S.)


• Esterline Technologies Corporation (The U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• December 2023 – Southwest Airlines announced that the company its current operational fleet with digitalization to streamline operations and help eliminate approx. 88 million pages of paper that the carrier prints. The electronic flight bag technology will be provided from Aviobook.


• April 2023 – European business jet operator Sparefell received approval from the  Austrocontrol and Transport Malta’s Civil Aviation Directorate in which the company secured approval for paperless operations with the launch of its electronic flight bag (EFB).


• March 2023 – Boeing announced the availability of its ForeFlight electronic flight bag app for general, business, and military aviation pilots for use in Australia.


• June 2022 – Collins Aerospace announced that the company is moving forward with advancing aviation solutions that would help make flights more efficient and sustainable with its FlightHub, and its new electronic flight folder is included with the Electronic Flight Bag (EFB).

REPORT COVERAGE

The global electronic flight bag market report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on key aspects such as leading companies, product types, and leading applications of the product. Besides this, the report offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market over recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation