Flight Inspection Market - By Solution (Commissioning, Routine), By System (Precision Approach Path Indicator, Instrument Landing System, Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Range, Distance Measuring Equipment), By Power Source, By End User, Forecast 2022 – 2032

Flight Inspection Market Size

Flight Inspection Market size was valued at over USD 5.4 billion in 2022 and is estimated to register a CAGR of over 4% between 2023 & 2032.

Safety in the aviation industry is a major factor driving the industry growth. Regulatory bodies worldwide, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the U.S. and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) globally, mandate strict safety standards for aviation infrastructure. These standards require regular flight inspections to ensure that navigation & communication systems including critical ones, such as Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) and VHF Omni-Directional Range (VOR), meet precise performance criteria. These inspections are vital to maintaining the highest level of safety for air travel.

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Flight inspection is a critical aviation safety procedure involving the evaluation of navigational aids, airport systems, and airspace infrastructure. Specially equipped aircraft are used to assess the accuracy & functionality of these systems, ensuring they meet regulatory standards for safe & precise air travel.

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Flight inspection requires specialized aircraft equipped with sophisticated measurement & calibration instruments. Additionally, the training & expertise of flight inspection personnel come at a significant cost. This can make flight inspection services expensive, which can be a barrier for smaller airports or regions with limited budgets.

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the flight inspection market in several ways including reduced air traffic worldwide. With lockdowns, travel restrictions, and reduced passenger demand, airports & airlines scaled back their operations. This reduction in air traffic directly affected the demand for flight inspection services. Many routine inspections were postponed or canceled due to the decreased need. Many airport infrastructure projects including the installation of new navigation & communication systems were also delayed or put on hold during the pandemic. As a result, commissioning flight inspection services for these projects were either postponed or reduced in scope, impacting market growth.

Flight Inspection Market Trends

The adoption of satellite-based navigation systems, such as global positioning system (GPS), GLONASS, and galileo, has become integral to aviation. Flight inspection services have adapted to the widespread use of these systems, offering specialized testing & calibration to ensure their accuracy and reliability. As satellite technology continues to evolve, flight inspection services will play a crucial role in maintaining their integrity. Moreover, the aviation industry recognizes the growing threat of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure including navigation & communication systems. Flight inspection providers are expanding in cybersecurity services, helping safeguard aviation systems against cyber threats. These services include vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and security audits.

Flight Inspection Market Analysis

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Based on solution, the flight inspection market is segmented into routine and commissioning. The routine segment held a market share of over 60% in 2022 and is expected to grow at a lucrative pace till 2032. Routine flight inspections are essential for the maintenance and safety of aviation infrastructure. Regular inspections identify and address issues with navigation & communication systems before they lead to safety hazards or operational disruptions. By identifying & addressing potential issues during regular inspections, airports and aviation authorities can also prevent financial losses due to hazardous incidents that occur due to system malfunctions.

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Based on system, the flight inspection market is segmented into precision approach path indicator (PAPI), instrument landing system (ILS), very high frequency (VHF), omni-directional range (VOR), and distance measuring equipment (DME). The ILS segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 5% through 2032. Modern aircraft are equipped with advanced navigation systems that rely on precise guidance during landing. ILS systems play a critical role in providing this precision. The growth of more technologically advanced & larger aircraft in commercial aviation further underscores the importance of accurate ILS systems and the flight inspections that verify their performance. Accurate ILS systems contribute to reduced approach & landing delays at airports, particularly in low-visibility conditions. This enhances operational efficiency and improves passenger safety & satisfaction. To achieve these benefits, airports & aviation authorities invest in maintaining and upgrading ILS infrastructure, leading to an increased demand for flight inspection services.

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North America flight inspection market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 5% between 2023 and 2032. North America is a leader in aviation technology and innovation. The region is at the forefront of adopting advanced navigation systems, such as satellite-based navigation (e.g., GPS), which requires specialized flight inspection services for commissioning and routine maintenance. The demand for flight inspections increases with the adoption of more advanced and integrated technologies.

North America is witnessing ongoing airport expansion and modernization projects to keep pace with growing air travel demands. For instance, in 2022, American Airlines completed the modernization & expansion of JFK International Airport, spending USD 400 million. These projects often involve the installation of new navigation & communication systems, driving the need for commissioning flight inspections to ensure compliance with safety & regulatory standards.

Flight Inspection Market Share

Major players operating in the flight inspection market are

• Aerodata AG
• Airfield Technology Inc
• Bombardier Inc.
• Cobham PLC
• ENAV S.p.A
• Flight Calibration Services Limited
• Mistras Group Inc.
• Norwegian Special Mission AS
• Radiola Limited
• Saab AB
• Safran S.A.
• ST Engineering
• Textron Aviation Inc.

These players heavily invest in research activities to introduce innovative services and garner the maximum market revenue.

Flight Inspection Industry News

• In September 2021, Norwegian Special Mission AS partnered with Primoco UAV to develop drone based flight inspection. Under this partnership, a UAV equipped for flight inspection missions, was flight-tested in Iceland in August 2021. The UNIFIS 1000 for UAV can be configured specifically for each mission to adapt to the payload capacity of the drone being used.

The flight inspection market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry, with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Billion) from 2018 to 2032, for the following segments

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By Solution

• Commissioning
• Routine

By System

• Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI)
• Instrument Landing System (ILS)
• Very High Frequency (VHF) Omni-Directional Range (VOR)
• Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)
• Others

By End User

• Commercial Airports
• Defense Airports

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • ANZ
  • Rest of Asia Pacific 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• MEA
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Rest of MEA