Aircraft fleet growth in India However, the growth of the Indian airline fleet is opening up a new opportunity in India. Apart from the aircraft manufacturing component and traditional maintenance, a booming fleet means there is a rush for aircraft modification, retrofit, aviation engineering and certification services.
The development is especially important for companies that design and certify specialised modifications for aircraft, as airlines are increasingly seeking to retro-fit newly acquired aircraft with enhanced technology, cabin upgrades and new operational systems.
Demand for engineering solutions tied to aircraft entering airline fleets is high, said Ireland-based Eirtech Aviation Services. Michael Sattler, president of Ireland-based Eirtech Aviation Services, said the amount of aircraft entering Indian airline fleets each month is surpassing that of almost anywhere else in the world.
India’s Expanding Aircraft Fleet Opens New Business Opportunity
The growth of Indian aviation is not only aircraft and aircraft manufacturing related. Each new aircraft added to a fleet will create requirements for engineering, certification and for specialised spares and modification kits.
Airlines may have to undertake modifications following their acceptance of the aircraft if they are used for their operations. These include changes to cabin configuration, modifications to galley, power plant in the cockpit, connectivity and communication systems, avionics, and surveillance.
These modifications demand engineering and certification from the regulatory body.
Which expands the marketplace for specialised aviation engineering firms capable of designing modifications and compiling installation documentation.
Aircraft Modification Demand Goes Beyond Traditional MRO
Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) has historically been the core of the aviation aftermarket. The expanding aircraft population has begun to generate a new market for services, engineering and modifications.
For example, Eirtech engineers may not even carry out any work on an aircraft. Instead they are responsible for preparing the design, drawings, technical documentation and certification for the modification. The modification itself can then be installed or performed by an approved MRO organisation or aircraft paint shop.
With this model, airlines can offer personalised solutions and be assured that the changes will comply with certification requirements.
Cockpit Technology and Connectivity Become Key Areas
One of the technology needs that is gaining popularity is cockpit technology. Nowadays, pilots rely heavily on electronic devices and flight data that is in the form of digital maps as opposed to using their usual paper maps.
This has piqued more curiosity in Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) solutions, cockpit EFB mounts and power systems.
Eirtech said it is currently seeing demand from Indian carriers for systems that provide cockpit power and for those used in EFB. Such systems allow aircraft operators to install electronic equipment onboard aircraft to aid cockpit activity without compromising the day-today needs of the cockpit crew.
Demand was also seen for aircraft livery services, which include engineering and technical support for changes to the design of aircraft exteriors.
Certification Remains Critical for Aircraft Modifications
Modifying an aircraft is distinct from installing a ready-made product. Aircraft modifications typically necessitate engineering validation and certification.
Eirtech presently has approximately 130 STCs on the following: STC is the regulatory approval mechanism for approved modifications to an aircraft.
Speed is also likely to become a factor for airlines. In addition to the increasing number of aircraft to be delivered, carriers could find themselves with only weeks to adapt aircraft. This means engineering companies will need to deliver design, certification and specialised kits on short notice.
India Could Become a Major Growth Market
The company anticipates India will be a more significant part of the company’s global growth in the next 3-5 years. Eirtech has said it plans to grow its India business by about 2X.
This is indicative of the overall growth of the Indian aviation ecosystem with the increasing passenger demand and airline fleets providing momentum for the industry in both domestic and international segments.
Thus, the potential opportunity would include not just airlines and aircraft builders but also aviation engineering companies, MRO operators, component suppliers, aircraft remodelling companies and certification companies.
Implication of Increase in Fleet Sizes on Indian Aviation Sector
More aircraft entering India’s airline fleet is leading to a broader aviation aftermarket. As the fleet grows, airlines will need more customised engineering support for their aircraft to meet commercial and operating requirements.
Modified aircraft market, including cockpit power and electronic flight systems, cabin modifications, connectivity, surveillance gear and livery solutions, may increasingly be an integral part of India’s aviation value chain.
Since airlines still plan to grow their fleets, the revenue aviation engineering, and retrofit and certification can generate from aircraft modification services will probably also be more closely related to the overall aviation expansion in the country.
In addition to the opportunity to build and service aircraft, aviation firms can tap into an emerging and large new source of business for themselves from the increasing requirement to. This may involve helicopter entrepreneurs and firms customising, certifying and upgrading passenger aircraft.
