Aircraft Hangar Market

Market Overview

The global aircraft hangar market size was valued at USD 741.6 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 1.2 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period (2024-2032). Global market share is increasing due to rising demand for aircraft storage and maintenance facilities, driven by the expanding commercial aviation sector and the need for specialized infrastructure to accommodate more significant, more sophisticated aircraft.

Aircraft hangars are specialized facilities that store, maintain, and service aircraft. These structures shelter and protect planes and helicopters from weather elements like rain, snow, wind, and sunlight. Hangars are critical infrastructure for aviation operations, serving a variety of functions in commercial, military, and general aviation sectors. Several factors are driving rapid growth in the global aircraft hangar market. The expansion of the commercial aviation sector, fueled by rising air travel demand and economic development, is driving the need for modernized and expanded airport infrastructure, including aircraft hangars. Furthermore, advances in aircraft technology, such as the introduction of larger and more sophisticated aircraft, are increasing demand for specialized hangar facilities to accommodate these changing fleet requirements. Additionally, stringent aircraft safety and maintenance regulations highlight the importance of well-equipped hangars. The market is also being boosted by the growing popularity of private and business aviation and military aircraft fleets, which require dedicated hangar space. 

Top 4 Key Highlights

• MRO influenced the market growth by type.
• Fixed dominates the market by construction.
• Narrow Body generates the highest revenue share by aircraft.
• Commercial accounts for the largest market share by platform

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Rising Demand for Air Travel

The rising demand for air travel, fueled by economic growth, globalization, and rising disposable incomes, drives the demand for aircraft hangars. Airlines and aviation operators are expanding their fleets to meet increasing passenger and cargo demand, necessitating the construction of new hangars for aircraft storage, maintenance, and repair. According to the IATA, global air travel demand increased by 36.9% in 2023 over 2022, reaching 94.1% of pre-pandemic levels. In December 2023, total traffic increased by 25.3% over December 2022, reaching 97.5% of the December 2019 level. These expansions necessitate constructing or expanding new hangars to accommodate and maintain the extra aircraft. Airlines invest in hangar facilities to ensure their aircraft are correctly stored, maintained, and serviced to meet safety and regulatory requirements.

Despite the temporary setback caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which resulted in a sharp drop in air travel demand, recovery efforts have begun. As vaccination efforts progress and travel restrictions are relaxed, air travel is gradually recovering. The IATA predicts global RPKs will exceed pre-pandemic levels by 2024, thanks to pent-up travel demand, economic recovery, and increased consumer confidence. With projected increases in air travel, airlines are expected to continue expanding their fleets, resulting in increased demand for aircraft hangars to accommodate the growing number of planes. As airlines expand their fleets to meet rising passenger demand, building new hangars or expanding existing ones becomes critical to ensuring adequate aircraft storage, maintenance, and servicing facilities. This trend emphasizes the importance of air travel growth in driving global demand for aircraft hangars. 

Market Restraints

High Initial Cost

The construction of aircraft hangars requires significant upfront investment, which includes land acquisition, construction materials, labor, and infrastructure development. The substantial capital investment required may discourage potential investors or operators from entering the market, especially in areas with stringent regulatory requirements or high construction costs.

Additionally, the cost of building aircraft hangars varies according to size, location, design complexity, and regulatory requirements. Extensive hangar facilities designed for commercial or military aircraft can cost millions of dollars to construct. According to Shelter Structures, building a standalone general aviation hangar ranges from USD 60 to USD 120 per square foot or USD 900,000 to USD 1,800,000 for a 15,000-square foot hangar. AVweb says the average hangar costs approximately USD 22 per square foot, but costs may be higher in some areas. For example, a 60x60 box hangar with two doors under leasehold ownership could cost USD 70,000, or USD 19.44 per square foot. In addition to construction costs, hangar projects may incur ongoing operational expenses such as utilities, maintenance, insurance, and property taxes, which increase the overall investment burden. As a result, navigating the financial aspects of hangar development projects necessitates meticulous planning, risk assessment, and financial management to ensure long-term viability and profitability.

Market Opportunity

Modernization and Upgrading of Existing Facilities

Many aircraft hangars may be obsolete or lack the modern features required to meet industry standards. Hangar operators and owners can invest in modernizing and upgrading their facilities to improve operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability. This could include retrofitting hangars with advanced technologies, increasing energy efficiency, and implementing smart hangar management systems.

Additionally, retrofitting and modernization projects comprise a sizable portion of hangar construction activity, driven by the need to upgrade existing facilities to meet changing industry standards and regulatory demands. In February 2024, the Australian government announced an investment to modernize critical air and land military infrastructure in Northern Queensland. The 35-million Australian dollar (USD 22.8 million) project will upgrade capabilities at the Royal Australian Air Force Base Townsville and the Australian Army's Lavarack Barracks. The hangar improvement will be made possible by a 700-million Australian dollar (USD 455.8 million) program announced last year to support the army's new AH-64E Apache helicopter fleet. Furthermore, retrofit projects frequently include installing energy-efficient HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems, insulation upgrades, lighting retrofits, and automation solutions to boost operational efficiency and reduce environmental impact. By upgrading existing hangars with advanced technologies and energy-efficient features, stakeholders can improve operational efficiency, lower operating costs, and extend the life of their facilities, all of which contribute to long-term sustainability and profitability.

Regional Analysis

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

North America is the most significant global aircraft hangar market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% over the forecast period. North America dominated the market in 2023. The presence of key players in the region, such as AECOM, Allied Steel Buildings, Rubb Buildings, Clearspan Fabric Structures Inc., and others, has contributed to the growth. In 2023, airlines carried 751.4 million passengers on domestic flights, up from 750.5 million in 2022, making it the busiest year in US aviation history. In December 2023, US airlines carried 78.7 million passengers on domestic and international flights, up 9.5% from the same month in 2022. Furthermore, in 2023, United will add an average of two new Boeing 737 MAX narrowbodies per week, and it has the largest fleet renewal and expansion program among all American carriers. As of December 2023, United had over 700 aircraft orders, including 128 Airbus A321neos. 

Asia-Pacific is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 5.7% over the forecast period due to increased investment in new airport construction. The increased demand for air travel and the number of greenfield projects in the region are expected to drive growth in the aircraft hangar market. In addition, China Southern Airlines plans to launch 17 new international routes as part of its network expansion strategy, as the airline anticipates an increase in global travel this year, indicating a steady recovery in Chinese international markets. According to the Civil Aviation Department of India, by 2027, the country will have approximately 1200 aircraft and 400 million passengers. Airport infrastructure, including aircraft hangars, must be upgraded to accommodate the increased passenger demand. This will fuel market growth in the region.

The European region's growth is attributed to increased spending on airport modernization programs and new aircraft deliveries from regional OEMs. The increased MRO activity in this region will drive market growth. Easy Jet began constructing a maintenance hangar at Berlin Airport in September 2021, with operations scheduled for 2023. The Middle East and Africa, and Latin America markets will expand due to rising passenger traffic and increased business travel, tourism, and general aviation. The Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, Israel, Turkey, and others have large aircraft fleets. They are popular MRO destinations due to their strategic locations, which provide connectivity to all other world regions. This is expected to increase the demand for hangars in the area.

Segmental Analysis

The global aircraft hangar market is segmented based on type, construction, aircraft, and platform.

The market by type is further segmented into MRO, Assembly, and Storage.

The MRO segment dominated the type segment as air safety and maintenance operations became more critical. It also has the fastest rate of growth. MRO hangars are dedicated facilities for aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities. These hangars are outfitted with specialized infrastructure, tools, and equipment to facilitate aircraft inspections, repairs, component replacements, and refurbishments. MRO hangars are critical in ensuring aircraft fleets' airworthiness and operational readiness because they provide a controlled environment for maintenance operations and efficient turnaround times for aircraft servicing. Developing new greenfield airports, increased aviation sector spending, and rapid technological advancement in developing countries such as China and India contribute to the market's growth.

The assembly segment is expected to grow at a high CAGR over the forecast period. Assembly hangars are designed to assemble and manufacture aircraft components, subassemblies, and entire aircraft structures. These hangars are outfitted with assembly lines, workstations, tooling, and lifting equipment to simplify the assembly process. Assembly hangars can accommodate various stages of aircraft production, such as fuselage and wing assembly, engine installation, and final aircraft integration. These facilities play an essential role in aircraft manufacturing, allowing manufacturers to streamline production processes, improve workflow efficiency, and ensure quality. The segment's growth is attributed to rising global aircraft orders. Manufacturers are expected to build assembly hangars in response to increased aircraft orders.

Based on construction, the market is fragmented into Fixed and portable.

The fixed segment had the highest market share in 2023. As most conventional hangars attached to airports are of fixed construction, the segment had a higher market share in 2023. Fixed hangars are permanent structures built on-site from traditional materials like steel, concrete, and aluminum. These hangars are intended to withstand the elements and provide long-term shelter for aircraft. Fixed hangars are typically designed to meet specific aircraft sizes and operational needs. They provide a variety of amenities and features, such as large hangar doors, climate control systems, lighting, and maintenance areas. The segment's growth will be boosted by increased funding and capital expenditure for infrastructure from Asia Pacific's emerging economies. The portable segment will grow fastest, with a high CAGR, due to its ability to be assembled, disassembled, or moved in less time than conventionally constructed hangars. The increasing use of such hangars by commercial and military users has resulted in a high growth rate for the segment.

The market can be bifurcated by aircraft into Wide Body, Narrow Body, Helicopters, and General Aviation.

The narrow body segment held the largest market share in 2023. Narrowbody aircraft have a smaller fuselage width, typically accommodating a single aisle and seating arrangement. Narrowbody aircraft include the Boeing 737, Airbus A320, and Embraer E-Jet series. Hangars designed for narrowbody aircraft may have slightly smaller dimensions than widebody hangars, but they still need enough space and facilities for aircraft storage, maintenance, and servicing. These hangars frequently have standard-sized hangar doors and amenities designed to meet the needs of narrowbody aircraft operators. The segment is also expected to expand at a moderate CAGR over the forecast period. During the forecast period, the increase was attributed to rising orders for new narrowbody aircraft from the Asia Pacific region.

The broad body segment had the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Following the pandemic, there is expected to be a renewed interest in widebody aircraft, which will drive demand during the forecast period. The widebody segment is expected to grow due to increased global demand for air travel. Widebody aircraft are distinguished by their wider fuselage width, which can accommodate multiple aisles and seating arrangements. Widebody aircraft include the Boeing 747, Airbus A380, and Boeing 777. To accommodate widebody aircraft, hangars must have spacious interiors and large hangar doors. To accommodate the weight and dimensions of widebody aircraft, these hangars are frequently outfitted with heavy-duty infrastructure such as reinforced flooring, strong support structures, and specialized lifting equipment.

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

The commercial segment had the largest market share in 2023. It is also the most rapidly growing segment, with the highest CAGR. Commercial hangars are intended to house aircraft used by commercial airlines, charter companies, cargo carriers, and other commercial aviation operators. These hangars are usually found at airports, airfields, and aviation hubs where commercial air traffic is heavy. Commercial hangars vary in size and configuration depending on the aircraft they serve, including narrow, wide, narrowbody, regional jets, and turboprops. They have the facilities and infrastructure to support aircraft storage, maintenance, and service operations.

Additionally, commercial hangars ensure commercial air transportation's safety, dependability, and efficiency by providing secure and weather-proof storage solutions for commercial aircraft fleets. The segment's growth is driven by increased spending on greenfield airports and the modernization of brownfield airports in various countries worldwide.  The military segment is expected to grow at a moderate CAGR throughout the forecast period. Military hangars are specialized facilities that support the storage, maintenance, and operation of military aircraft used by defense organizations, armed forces, and governments. These hangars accommodate a variety of military aircraft, including fighter jets, transport planes, helicopters, reconnaissance aircraft, and drones. Increased use of inflatable hangars, among other things, is expected to drive market growth.

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