Flight Inspection Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Components (Altimeter, Transponder, Fuselage, Hull, Empennage, Wings, Engine and Nacelle, Cabin and Cockpit, Landing Gear, Propeller Assembly, and Others), By Type (Annual, 100-Hour and Progressive), By Aircraft Type (Commercial, Business Jet, General Aviation Aircraft, Commercial Helicopters, Military, and UAVs), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The flight inspection market refers to the industry involved in conducting inspections and evaluations of navigational aids, communication systems, and other aviation infrastructure to confirm their proper functioning and compliance with regulatory standards. Flight inspection is a critical process for maintaining the safety and efficiency of aviation operations. Flight inspection involves using specialized aircraft equipped with highly sensitive instruments and equipment to assess and verify the performance of various aviation systems.

The growth in air travel globally has led to a higher demand for flight inspection services. For example, as airports expand their operations and introduce new runways or taxiways, flight inspection companies are engaged to ensure the accuracy and calibration of navigation aids. Also, Regulatory bodies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in U.S. and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) impose strict standards and regulations for aviation infrastructure. Flight inspection is essential to meet these requirements. For instance, the FAA mandates periodic flight inspections of navigational aids to ensure compliance with its regulations, including certifying precision approach procedures like the Category I, II, and III Instrument Landing Systems (ILS).

The adoption of advanced technologies in aviation drives the need for flight inspection. For example, implementing satellite-based navigation systems like Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) or the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) requires flight inspections to validate their performance and accuracy. As airports expand their infrastructure or undergo technical upgrades, flight inspection services are crucial in ensuring the integrity and functionality of new or improved systems. Also, the emerging market of UAVs drives the flight inspection market rapidly.

But, some regions, particularly remote or underdeveloped regions, may have limited accessibility or inadequate infrastructure for flight inspection operations. This can pose challenges for flight inspection companies to reach and inspect certain airports or navigational aids effectively. Furthermore, the regulatory changes in the aviation industry can impact the flight inspection market. Alterations in regulations or standards related to flight inspection requirements may lead to adjustments in the frequency or scope of inspections, potentially affecting the demand for inspection services.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Global Flight Inspection Market:

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the global flight inspection market. Many aircraft have been grounded and were not in operation due to COVID-19's influence on travel. Short-term "active parking," which involves putting planes on the ground, is costly for businesses. According to The Financial Times, it costs approximately USD 30,000 to prepare and maintain each plane for active parking, even though they are typically only parked for three to six months. Since these aircraft were not in the air, they did not require routine inspections until they were prepared to take off. This situation negatively impacted the global flight inspection industry.

The global flight inspection market is segmented into three types. Based on component, this market is categorized into altimeter, transponder, fuselage, hull, empennage, wings, engine and nacelle, cabin and cockpit, landing gear, propeller assembly, and others. By type, the market is classified into Annual, 100-Hour, and progressive. Based on aircraft type, the market is divided into commercial, business jet, general aviation aircraft, commercial helicopters, military, and UAVs. From a geographical view, the market is categorized into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America.

Key Insights:

The report will describe the following key insights:

• The report analyzes a detailed industry overview, including qualitative and quantitative information.


• The report analyzes an overview and forecast of the flight inspection market based on various segments.


• The report also analyzes comprehensive PEST analysis for all five regions, i.e., North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America, after evaluating economic, social, political, and technological factors affecting the global flight inspection market in these regions.

Regional Analysis:

North America controls most of the flight inspection market due to the presence of significant market players like Textron Inc. and Airfield Inc. The growth of the global flight inspection industry has been fueled recently by the region's rising air passenger volume as well as the building and restoration of airports in Brazil and Mexico. On the other hand, Asia Pacific is the most emerging market due to the high increase in air passenger numbers.

Key Players Covered:

• Textron Inc.


• Aerodata AG


• NXT LLC


• Cobham Flight Inspection Limited


• Airfield Technology Inc.


• Safran S.A.


• Radiola Airspace


• Saab AB


• Norwegian Special Mission AG


• Bombardier Inc.

Flight Inspection Market Segmentation:

Key Industry Developments:

• In May 2023, G.E. Aerospace and Waygate Technologies, a Baker Hughes company and the market leader in non-destructive testing (NDT) solutions for industrial inspection, signed a joint technology development agreement to create software and hardware inspection solutions for commercial aircraft engines.


• In October 2022, Lufthansa created a new iPad application that digitalized its pre-flight aircraft inspection procedure using Apple's SwiftUI developer framework and Ditto's peer-to-peer real-time database. By utilizing Bluetooth 5.0 and P2P Wi-Fi's enhanced networking capabilities, Lufthansa designed this app to function natively on iPhone and iPad devices.