Airbus Projects 3.6% Annual Growth in Aircraft Services to 2044

Airbus projects a 3.6% average annual growth in its aircraft services sector through 2044, anticipating a total market value of US$311 billion per year. The company expects this expansion to support 2.35 million pilots, mechanics, and aviation workers, reflecting rising global air travel demand.

The European planemaker is increasingly focusing on aftermarket services, including maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), to compete with independent providers for higher-margin work. Demand for off-wing maintenance—repairs conducted in workshops—is expected to more than double to US$218 billion, while on-wing services, such as light inspections and routine maintenance, are projected to rise from US$21 billion to US$34 billion.

With half of the global fleet over 100 seats comprising Airbus aircraft, the company sees strong growth in lifecycle services to support fleet efficiency and reliability. Airbus’ Global Services Forecast identifies five key service segments, with the commercial fleet set to nearly double to 49,000 aircraft and passenger numbers to 10 billion by 2044.

Airbus executives noted that global supply chains, still recovering from COVID-19 disruptions, are steadily improving. In 2024, 10% of Airbus’ revenues came from its services segment, underscoring the growing contribution of aftermarket operations to the company’s business model.

Industry analysts compare Airbus’ forecast with Boeing, which anticipates US$4.7 trillion in commercial services demand over the next 20 years, growing 3.8% annually. Boeing expects MRO and modifications to make up 68% of the market, digital services 28%, and training and pilot services 4%, highlighting that while traditional MRO remains the main revenue driver, digital solutions and training are growing components of long-term service strategies.

The emphasis on services reflects a strategic shift for Airbus, historically focused on aircraft manufacturing. Executives highlighted that aftermarket operations—including repair, maintenance, and inspection—are becoming a critical source of stable, high-margin revenue, aligning with broader industry trends integrating manufacturing with lifecycle support and long-term service contracts.