Aircraft Auxiliary Power Unit Market Report 2025

The aircraft auxiliary power unit market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $3.41 billion in 2024 to $3.53 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to fuel efficiency requirements, stringent environmental regulations, expansion of air transport networks, rise in regional and low-cost carriers, and increased focus on passenger comfort.

The aircraft auxiliary power unit market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $4.09 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the modernization of existing fleets, integration of more electric aircraft systems, development of sustainable aviation solutions, growth in urban air mobility (UAM), enhanced connectivity and avionics systems, and focus on weight reduction. Major trends in the forecast period include advancements in APU technology, increased demand for more fuel-efficient apus, integration of advanced materials, focus on noise reduction, digitalization, and connectivity.

The surge in aircraft deliveries is expected to drive the expansion of the aircraft APU market. Aircraft deliveries encompass the comprehensive process involving manufacturing, assembly, and handover of aircraft to various customers, including airlines, private owners, and military organizations. APUs function by providing power to the aircraft's electrical and pneumatic systems, enabling independent operation on the ground or during maintenance activities. This diminishes reliance on external power sources, offering enhanced operational flexibility for airlines. For example, data from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) in February 2023 highlighted notable increases in deliveries across different aircraft types in 2022 compared to the previous year. This growth, valued at $22.9 billion in 2022, marked a substantial upswing of nearly 5.8% from 2021, indicating a robust increase in aircraft deliveries and thereby propelling the aircraft APU market.

The escalating demand for air travel is set to significantly contribute to the aircraft APU market's growth. Air transportation involves the movement of people and goods through the use of aircraft such as airplanes and drones. APUs serve a critical role in air travel, enabling aircraft to operate autonomously without relying on ground support equipment such as external air conditioning or power units. Notably, a report released by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in May 2022 indicated a substantial increase in total air traffic, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), particularly in June 2022, with a staggering 76.2% surge over June 2021. This surge is attributed primarily to the strong resurgence in foreign travel. Consequently, the heightened demand for air travel continues to drive the growth trajectory of the aircraft auxiliary power unit market.

The aircraft auxiliary power unit (APU) market is witnessing a notable surge in technological advancements, shaping its trajectory as a key trend. Major players within this market are actively engaged in developing innovative solutions to fortify their market positions. For instance, Ampaire, a US-based pioneer in hybrid-electric aircraft conversion, forged a partnership in September 2022 with Electric Power (EP) Systems, a US-based provider of energy storage systems. This collaboration aimed to equip the nine-passenger Cessna Grand Caravan with hybrid-electric capabilities, transforming it into the Eco Caravan aircraft. EP Systems' EPiC energy storage system was selected for integration into the Eco Caravan, known for powering various manned and unmanned aircraft such as Embraer Ipanema, Boeing CAV, NASA X-57, Diamond eDA-40, and Aurora Flight Sciences Pegasus with other battery systems.

Leading companies in the aircraft auxiliary power unit market are concentrating on developing innovative products, such as turbine power units, to improve energy efficiency, reduce weight, enhance reliability, and meet the growing demand for advanced power solutions in aviation. Turbine power units are compact energy generation systems that utilize turbine technology, primarily used in aircraft for auxiliary functions like engine starting, electrical power generation, and supplying air for cabin pressurization and climate control. For example, in June 2023, PBS India Private Limited, an aerospace and defense company based in India, launched the PBS APU SPARK40. This cutting-edge auxiliary power unit is designed for medium helicopters, airplanes, and large unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The PBS APU SPARK40 features a doubled AC power output of 40 kVA, an increased bleed air extraction rate of 27 kg/min, and a maximum operating altitude of 8,000 meters. Additionally, it includes enhancements in weight reduction, operational flexibility, fuel-oil system optimization, and overall reliability, having been chosen for a NATO medium helicopter project.

In November 2022, Safran, a France-based aerospace company, made an undisclosed acquisition of the aeronautical electrical systems business of Thales. This strategic move bolstered Safran's portfolio and expanded its presence in diverse sectors such as defense and helicopters. Thales, a renowned French company, was a key player in providing auxiliary power units (APUs) crucial for supplying electricity to start engines and delivering devices and equipment across aerospace, defense, and transportation sectors.

Major companies operating in the aircraft auxiliary power unit market include Honeywell International Inc., Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation, Technodinamika, Kinetics Ltd., Rolls-Royce PLC, AEGIS Power Systems Inc., Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., Safran Power Units SAS, United Technologies Corporation, The Dewey Electronics Corporation, Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH, General Electric Company, BAE Systems plc., Raytheon Technologies Corporation, BOSA S.A., JSC NPP Aerosila, PBS Group a. s., Microturbo, Falck Schmidt Defence Systems A/S, Hartzell Aerospace, The Marvin Group, AMETEK Airtechnology Group, Behlman Electronics Inc., Tecknowledgey, UTC Aerospace Systems, Aerospace Turbine Rotables Inc., AeroVironment Inc., Airborne Systems North America, Aircraft Electronics Associatio.

North America was the largest region in the aircraft auxiliary power unit market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global aircraft auxiliary power unit market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the aircraft auxiliary power unit market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the aircraft auxiliary power unit market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

An aircraft's auxiliary power unit (APU) is a crucial onboard device that enables independent aircraft operation, eliminating the reliance on ground support equipment such as a ground power unit, external air-conditioning unit, or high-pressure air start cart. The APU supplies essential electric power to aviation systems and is commonly employed to initiate one of an airliner's main engines, as well as for bleeding air to start these engines.

The primary outputs of the aircraft auxiliary power unit include battery power and electric ground power. It finds application across a range of aircraft types, including fixed-wing, wide-body, narrow-body, rotary-wing, unmanned aerial vehicles, and others. Fixed-wing aircraft are those that rely on wings and their design for flight, catering to various end users such as military, commercial, and general aviation.

The aircraft auxiliary power unit market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides aircraft auxiliary power unit market statistics, including aircraft auxiliary power unit industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an aircraft auxiliary power unit market share, detailed aircraft auxiliary power unit market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the aircraft auxiliary power unit industry. This aircraft auxiliary power unit market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The aircraft auxiliary power unit market consists of sales of battery, hydraulic accumulator, and combustion engines using diesel, gas, or propane fuel. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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