Aircraft Lighting Market

Market Overview

The global aircraft lighting market size was valued at USD 1,499 million in 2021. It is expected to reach USD 2,296 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.85% during the forecast period (2022-2030).

Lighting plays a crucial part in an airplane because it is responsible for providing the pilot with illumination. These lights, located in various places throughout the aircraft and divided into interior and external lighting, are mounted there. While the interior lights help in giving a better view of the inside of the aircraft, the exterior lighting system enables the pilot to have better visibility of the surroundings. Additionally, the lighting system improves the appearance of the aircraft's interior and exterior and raises its visibility. When it comes to supporting passengers effectively, such as in an emergency scenario or by informing them of safety precautions, lighting includes signaling systems and other display devices.

Historically, incandescent lights were used in airplanes; however, the development of LEDs has enabled manufacturers to install LEDs, which provide superior illumination and have contributed to the expansion of the worldwide aircraft lighting industry. The demand for aircraft is likely to rise, and the market for aviation lighting is anticipated to be driven by the switch from incandescent to LED lighting. However, the market for aircraft lighting is expected to experience growth restraints during the projected period due to the high cost of LEDs and the delayed delivery of aircraft. Contrastingly, it is anticipated that the spike in demand for lightweight aircraft components will soon create profitable opportunities for expanding the global market.

Market Dynamics

Global Aircraft Lighting Market Drivers

The Increased Demand for Aircraft and Move from Incandescent Lights to LEDs

With the expansion of world economies, there has been a noticeable rise in demand for cutting-edge aircraft outfitted with the newest technologies. As a result of the increased demand for more effective and reliable aircraft worldwide, component manufacturers have been able to create cutting-edge parts for installation inside aircraft, including lighting and display systems. This has aided in the expansion of the global aircraft lighting market. Many organizations, like AeroLEDs, Astronics Corporation, Bruce Aerospace, and other regional producers, have produced lights of various intensities, mainly for airplane use.

The development of more effective and better lighting systems has thus been made possible by the rise in aircraft demand, which ultimately contributes to the expansion of the aircraft lighting market. Additionally, consumers have begun to favor LEDs over incandescent lights due to the advent of LEDs for use in aviation lighting systems, accelerating the growth of the aircraft lighting market. This transition can be linked to LED giving better visibility than incandescent lights. In addition, the main reason that pushed makers of aircraft components to choose LED lights was their shorter lifespan compared to older halogen or incandescent lights. The aircraft lighting market has grown significantly due to these causes.

Global Aircraft Lighting Market Restraints

Expensive LEDs

Lighting technologies like LEDs are widely used in the aerospace and automobile industries. Due to the improved performance of LEDs and their related advantages, such as a reduction in power consumption, a cooler operating temperature, and a longer lifespan, the use of LEDs in aircraft, particularly in exterior lighting, has expanded. However, a sizable amount of heat is dispersed into the emitters while installing LED as visibility light.

Only installing additional machinery, such as a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor, which only permits a small amount of current to travel through the circuit, allowing the LEDs to generate less heat, may control this. This ultimately raises the price of LED lights used in aircraft, limiting the expansion of the global industry.

Market Key Opportunities

The Demand for Lightweight Aircraft

The demand for lightweight components installed within the airplane has increased as more sophisticated aircraft are introduced globally. This is due to manufacturers' emphasis on providing lightweight parts, ultimately aiding the aircraft's weight reduction. Fluorescent lights are a common type of lighting used in aircraft for visibility.

However, as newer and more efficient lighting has come to market, installing these lightings has become more necessary due to their smaller weight than earlier lighting types. Therefore, it is anticipated that the demand for lightweight aircraft components would have a favorable effect on the aircraft sector and offer a lucrative potential for expanding the global market.

Regional Analysis

The regional analysis of the global aircraft lighting market is done across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

North America and the Asia Pacific will lead the aircraft lighting market

North America will presumably hold the predominant share in the regional market while advancing at a CAGR of 5.3%. The increase in the manufacture of advanced aircraft in North America, all of which are fitted with advanced lighting systems, is mainly responsible for the rise in popularity of aircraft lighting in that region. In addition, the expansion of the aircraft lighting market in North America could be attributed to a large number of additional factors, some of which include an increase in the demand for aircraft as well as the development of lighting systems that are energy efficient. The expansion of the aircraft lighting market in North America has been supported by the efforts of businesses like Astronics Corporation and Honeywell International Inc., which are concentrating on designing, developing, and selling innovative aircraft lighting systems.

The Asia Pacific is presumed to hold USD 677 million, growing at a CAGR of 5.2%. Owing to an increase in the manufacturing of advanced aircraft outfitted with a navigation system, an on-flight infotainment system, and other advanced systems, the demand for efficient lighting systems has increased throughout the Asia Pacific. This is anticipated to significantly contribute to the growth of the market. The global market for aircraft lighting in the Asia-Pacific region expanded due to the numerous improvements carried out by leading firms, which were then followed by the launch of technologically improved aircraft lighting components.

Segmental Analysis

The global aircraft lighting market is analyzed across interior lighting, exterior lighting, aircraft type, light type, and region.

Based on the exterior lighting, the segments are emergency lights, specialty lights, wash lights, reading lights, and lavatory lights.

The wash lights section will presumably hold the largest market share, expanding at a CAGR of 4.5%. Aircraft wash lights are positioned above the luggage bins to illuminate the ceilings, areas below the containers, and side walls. Due to the growing need for airplanes outfitted with cutting-edge technology, such as effective display devices and advanced lighting systems, including LEDs, wash lights have experienced tremendous growth on the global market. Because of the rise in demand, airplane manufacturers may now install more advanced and effective lighting systems inside their aircraft, providing better interiors for passenger comfort and convenience.

The reading lights section will hold the second-largest share. When reading a book or using electronic gadgets, passengers can utilize the reading light installed in airplanes to offer lighting. Easy installation, excellent energy economy, and compatible air valves are just a few of the characteristics that reading lights provide. These features are crucial for stoking consumer demand, which in turn helps the global market expansion. Additionally, they are made to act as an emergency backup light for the safety of the passengers in the cabin, which accelerates the market's development internationally.

Based on the exterior lighting, the segments are aircraft visibility, pilot, and specific purpose lights.

The pilot lights section is presumed to have the highest shareholding, expanding at a CAGR of 5.1%. The aircraft's pilot lights consist of taxi lights, runway turnoff lights, landing lights, wing inspection lights, and ice-detecting probe lights. Pilot lights are designed to carry out various tasks, including improving runway visibility, lighting the taxiway during ground operations, detecting ice formation overflight wings, and being helpful during wing inspection. To carry out such tasks successfully, there has been an increase in the need for pilot lights, which is a crucial factor driving the global market growth.

The aircraft visibility lights section will hold the second-largest share. To increase pilot visibility during critical flight operations, aircraft visibility lights come in various configurations, including navigation, beacon, and strobe lights. Additionally, their installation increases the aircraft's visibility to other aircraft, which helps minimize collisions when flying at night. Aircraft visibility lights are intended to increase the visibility of the aircraft to other flying aircraft and ground traffic.

Based on the aircraft type, the segments are commercial, business jets, military, and helicopters.

The commercial section will presumably have the most significant shareholding, advancing at a CAGR of 5.2%. Numerous aircraft manufacturers are leaning toward manufacturing aircraft that are advanced in operations and outfitted with efficient components like lighting, display systems, and signaling devices due to the rise in demand for modern aircraft in the airline business. The global aircraft lighting industry has expanded due to the rising demand for high-tech aircraft.

The military section will hold the second-largest share. Because of an increase in the production of military aircraft in combat and non-combat categories, aircraft lighting is seeing tremendous growth in the global market. In addition, the increased use of military aircraft for nighttime, life-saving rescue missions necessitates installing cutting-edge equipment like aircraft illumination. All of these reasons have contributed significantly to the worldwide market's expansion.

Based on the light type, the segments are LEDs and incandescent/ fluorescent lights.

The LED section is presumed to have the most significant shareholding, expanding at a CAGR of 5.15%. Due to their longer lifespan compared to halogen and xenon bulbs. They are also very effective at conserving power, which increases their demand in the aircraft sector. The aircraft sector finds LED the best alternative due to several additional features, including excellent operational reliability and improved safety, making it the market leader for aircraft lighting globally.

The fluorescent lights section will hold the second-largest share. Fluorescent lighting is a low-pressure mercury vapor gas discharge lamp that emits visible light through fluorescence. Fluorescent lights are employed in the lighting system and are becoming popular since they are affordable, energy-efficient, and have a long lifespan. Furthermore, the global market for fluorescent lighting has grown due to reduced heat output compared to other types of lighting.

Recent Developments

• In 2022, AeroLEDs, LLC announced the FAA-STC clearance for the SunSpotä 36 and 46 Series LED Landing and Taxi lights on various Sikorsky models, adding to their extensive FAA certifications. This STC, only offered by Sterling Helicopter, enables users of rotorcraft covered by it to upgrade right away to the best-LED technology currently available.