Aircraft Evacuation Market

Market Overview

The global aircraft evacuation market size was valued at USD 2.4 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 3.97 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period (2023-2031). The demand for improved emergency response systems, a surge in the commercial aviation industry, and an increase in demand for new planes, combined with numerous safety exercises, boosts market growth.

The process of properly evacuating passengers and crew from an aircraft in the case of an emergency or when the aircraft cannot continue normal flying operations is referred to as aircraft evacuation. A vital part of aviation safety is ensuring passengers' safe and timely evacuation from an aircraft.

Aircraft evacuation market share is expected to grow at 6.5% CAGR due to the demand for improved emergency response systems, a surge in the commercial aviation industry, and an increase in demand for new planes, combined with numerous safety exercises. Installing such advanced safety measures necessitates substantial flight crew training, which is an expensive event, and the long product lifespan of evacuation slides impedes aircraft evacuation market growth.

Market Dynamics

Global Aircraft Evacuation Market Drivers:

Safety Regulation and Standards

The FAA in the United States, EASA in Europe, and ICAO globally create and enforce severe safety requirements for aircraft design, equipment, and operations. These laws cover various aviation safety issues, including evacuation systems. The Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 25 in the United States establishes the airworthiness rules for transport category aircraft. Section 25.803 examines the requirements for emergency evacuation provisions in detail. It requires manufacturers to demonstrate that all passengers can be evacuated in 90 seconds or less using half of the available exits. The FAA performed experiments to examine the evacuation capability of several planes, according to the agency. These tests included a simulated emergency aircraft evacuation with volunteer passengers. The results of these tests directly inform and shape evacuation system safety rules.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) produces airplane safety laws and standards, including those regarding evacuation. Airlines and European aircraft manufacturers must adhere to EASA's safety criteria to get certification. ICAO creates and promotes international civil aviation rules and practices globally. Annex 6 - Aircraft Operation of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) offers requirements for passenger safety and emergency procedures, including aircraft evacuation. These factors are expected to influence the aircraft evacuation market trend.

Global Aircraft Evacuation Market Restraints:

High Development Cost

Extensive research, engineering, and testing are required to ensure the effectiveness and compliance with the safety rules of advanced airplane evacuation systems. These operations need many resources and might be expensive. Furthermore, integrating these features into new aircraft increases total production costs. These evacuation systems must be integrated into the aircraft's design, which can be complex and need engineering skills. Retrofitting older airplanes with contemporary evacuation systems comes with installation charges as well. Installing evacuation slides, for example, necessitates structural changes to the aircraft.

According to airline sources, the cost of running a two-way evacuation flight will be more than Rs. 1.10 crore, with the figure increasing depending on the duration of the flights. The entire cost will include crew, fuel, navigation, landing, and parking taxes. The possible consequences of poor evacuation systems in terms of passenger safety and regulatory compliance push manufacturers and airlines to prioritize safety improvements, even if they come at a high initial cost.

Global Aircraft Evacuation Market Opportunities:

Expanding Aviation Industry

Over the last few decades, the worldwide commercial aviation industry has grown steadily. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicted that passenger numbers would double to 8.2 billion by 2037. The Asia-Pacific area, which includes China and India, has been a significant driver of expansion in the commercial aviation business. It has seen rapid growth in both local and international aviation transport. According to IATA, net earnings in the airline industry are predicted to reach USD 9.8 billion in 2023 (1.2% net profit margin), more than doubling the previous prediction of USD 4.7 billion (December 2022). According to IATA's May 2023 passenger polling data, 41% of travelers anticipate to travel more in the next 12 months than they did the previous year, while 49% expect to travel the same amount.

Furthermore, 77% of respondents said they were currently traveling as much or more than they were before the outbreak. As a result, the aircraft evacuation market insights demonstrate that the aviation industry's expansion can considerably contribute to market growth over the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

The global aircraft evacuation market analysis is conducted across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America holds a sizeable global market share. The leading military and commercial aircraft original equipment manufacturers dominate the North American market. The region is expected to grow at 5.2% CAGR during the forecast period. The presence of significant market players in this region who develop technologically advanced equipment. Additionally, there is a rising demand for lightweight aircraft evacuation systems. The United States contributes the most to market expansion in the North American region. The aircraft evacuation market in North America comprises the design, production, installation, and maintenance of evacuation systems and equipment for commercial, military, and general aviation aircraft operating in the region.

Additionally, the American aircraft evacuation market is dominated by manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers specializing in safety equipment and systems. Companies such as Zodiac Aerospace (now a subsidiary of Safran Group), B/E Aerospace (now a subsidiary of Collins Aerospace), and Survival Systems USA are examples. North American demand for sophisticated evacuation systems is driven by stringent safety regulations imposed by aviation authorities like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Compliance with these regulations is a significant market driver. In response to safety incidents or technological advances, aviation authorities in North America may issue Airworthiness Directives (ADs) requiring operators to retrofit existing aircraft with certain equipment or systems, such as evacuation systems.

Europe is predicted to rise throughout the forecast period. Due to the presence of market leaders and numerous aircraft bases, Europe's Aircraft Evacuation Systems market accounts for the second-highest market revenue. Additionally, the German Aircraft Evacuation Systems market held the greatest market share, whereas the British Aircraft Evacuation Systems market was the fastest-growing market in Europe. During the pandemic, European airlines experienced a significant decline in passenger demand, which resulted in widespread flight cancellations and aircraft grounding. The pandemic severely impacted the European aviation industry, with airlines instituting cost-cutting measures and delaying fleet expansion plans. As air travel progressively recovers from the pandemic, European airlines have opportunities to modernize their fleets with the most advanced evacuation systems to improve passenger safety and regulatory compliance.

Furthermore, according to IATA, Passenger traffic across the European airport network nearly doubled (+98%) in 2022 compared to the previous year, reaching 1.94 billion passengers, indicating a robust regional aviation sector. Europe has been at the forefront of aviation initiatives promoting environmental sustainability. Sustainable evacuation systems incorporating eco-friendly materials may provide a competitive advantage in the European market.

The Asia-Pacific Aircraft Evacuation Systems Market is anticipated to expand rapidly during the forecast period. This is due to increased demand for the commercial aircraft evacuation system due to increased orders and deliveries of new aircraft and increased passenger traffic in this region. In addition, China's Aircraft Evacuation Systems market held the highest market share, while India's market was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region. Asia-Pacific airlines accounted for approximately 41.7% of global passenger traffic in 2019, making it the largest aviation market globally, per the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The Asia-Pacific region has experienced some of the highest passenger traffic growth rates globally, with China and India playing a significant role in this growth. Governments and aviation authorities are investing in airport infrastructure and safety improvements in the Asia-Pacific region. This presents opportunities for evacuation equipment and system suppliers.

The Middle East and Africa are anticipated to develop slowly. Comparing the Middle East and Africa, according to IATA, the Middle East region's return to profitability in 2022 will be supported by a substantial increase in passenger load factor of nearly 25 percentage points, outperforming the other regions. Africa remains a challenging market for airline operations, with economic, infrastructure, and connectivity issues impacting industry performance. 

Nevertheless, despite these obstacles, there is still a robust demand for aviation travel in the region, which supports the industry's ongoing efforts to return to profitability. Thus, aircraft evacuation in the region is in its infancy.

Segmental Analysis

The global aircraft evacuation market is segmented based on equipment type, fit, aircraft type, and region.

Equipment type is further segmented into Life Vest, Evacuation Slide and raft, Ejection Seat, and Emergency Floatation.

Evacuation Slide and Raft hold the major market share.

Evacuation slides and rafts

Evacuation slides and rafts are inflatable devices used during emergency evacuations from aircraft exits. Slides are commonly used for land evacuations, while rafts are used for sea landings. Cabin crew inflate and deploy evacuation slides or rafts in the case of an emergency evacuation, allowing passengers and crew to escape the aircraft rapidly. Slides are also utilized on runways for land-based evacuations.

Life vests

Life vests, also known as life jackets or personal flotation devices (PFDs), are critical safety equipment on board airplanes, particularly when flying over water. In the case of a water landing or ditching, they are meant to keep passengers and crew afloat.

Based on fit, the market is sub-segmented into retrofit and line fit.

Line fit influenced the market growth.

Line fit

Integrating specific equipment or systems into an airplane during its initial manufacturing on the assembly line is called line fit, factory fit, or original equipment fit. This means that the equipment is fitted as part of the original configuration of the aircraft and is provided to the customer in this condition. Line-fit equipment is often identical across aircraft types, making production and maintenance easy for manufacturers.

Retrofit

Retrofitting, also known as aftermarket installation, is adding or upgrading equipment or systems to an aircraft that has already been produced and is in operation. Modifications to the current aircraft structure or systems may be required to accommodate the additional equipment.

By aircraft type, the segment can be further bifurcated into Narrow-Body (NB), wide-body (WB), Very Large Aircraft (VLA), Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA), Fighter Jet, and Helicopter.

Narrow-body (NB) occupies the major share of the market.

Narrow-Body (NB)

Narrow-body aircraft have a single aisle and normally seat passengers in a 3-3 layout. They are frequently used for short- to medium-distance trips.

Wide Body (WB)

Wide-body aircraft feature a wider fuselage and many aisles, which allows for higher passenger capacity and longer flights. They are frequently used for long-distance and international travel.

Recent Developments

• September 2023- Safran Electrical and Power, the global leader in electric aircraft systems, signed a collaboration agreement with Cuberg, a subsidiary of battery manufacturer Northvolt, for industrial, technical, and commercial cooperation to jointly develop an aviation energy storage system for future electric and hybrid aircraft.
• June 2023- Martin-Baker announced the continuation of its agreement with Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky for the supply of troop seating for Black Hawk helicopters.