MRO & Manufacturing
Airbus Forecasts Asia-Pacific Aviation Services Market to Reach $138.7B by 2044
Airbus projects Asia-Pacific aviation services market will grow to US$138.7 billion by 2044, driven by fleet expansion and digital services.
This article is based on an official press release from Airbus.
Airbus Forecasts Asia-Pacific Aviation Services Market to Hit $138.7 Billion by 2044
During the Singapore Airshow in February 2026, Airbus unveiled its latest Global Services Forecast (GSF) for the Asia-Pacific region, projecting a massive expansion in the aviation services sector. According to the manufacturer, the market value for aviation services in the region, which includes China and India, is expected to reach US$138.7 billion by 2044.
This projection represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% from 2025 levels. Airbus identifies the Asia-Pacific region as the world’s fastest-growing market for these services, driven by a surge in passenger traffic and a critical need for fleet modernization. The forecast anticipates that the region will require 19,560 new aircraft over the next two decades, a figure that accounts for 46% of total global demand.
Maintenance and Digitalization Driving Growth
The Airbus report breaks down the market into five key segments, highlighting where the capital investment is likely to flow over the next 20 years. The largest contributor to this valuation is the “Off-Wing Maintenance” sector, which includes engine and component overhauls.
According to the press release, the Off-Wing Maintenance segment is projected to grow from an estimated US$37.1 billion in 2025 to US$100 billion by 2044. This growth is necessitated by the expansion of regional fleets and the aging of current aircraft inventories.
While maintenance holds the highest value, the “Digital & Connectivity” segment is identified as the fastest-growing area. Airbus forecasts this sector will nearly quadruple in value, rising from US$2.9 billion to US$11.2 billion. This surge is attributed to the increasing adoption of AI-based predictive maintenance and the rising expectations for passenger connectivity.
“The Asia-Pacific region will see the largest volume of growth and activity in terms of aftermarket services… especially digital solutions are becoming real multipliers, enabling operators to scale up without compromising on reliability or cost.”
— Cristina Aguilar Grieder, SVP Customer Services, Airbus
Additional Market Segments
The forecast outlines three other critical areas of development:
- On-Wing Maintenance: Expected to grow to US$14 billion, supported by heavy infrastructure investment in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
- Modifications & Upgrades: Projected to reach US$6.2 billion, focusing on cabin modernization and premium retrofits.
- Training: Forecast to hit US$7.7 billion as the industry shifts toward competency-based training methods.
Workforce Demand: A Critical Challenge
To support this unprecedented growth, the Asia-Pacific region faces a significant human resources challenge. Airbus estimates a total requirement for 1.06 million new aviation professionals by 2044. This demand represents nearly half of the global requirement for skilled aviation labor.
The breakdown of this workforce demand includes:
- Pilots: Approximately 299,000 new recruits needed.
- Technicians: Approximately 322,000 maintenance specialists required.
- Cabin Crew: Approximately 439,000 service professionals needed.
AirPro News Analysis
While the Airbus figures paint a picture of robust health, we note that the projected growth relies heavily on the region’s ability to overcome supply chain constraints and labor shortages. The heavy emphasis on the “Digital & Connectivity” segment, quadrupling in value, suggests a strategic pivot by airlines. Carriers appear to be banking on AI and data analytics not just for efficiency, but as a necessary mitigation strategy against the looming workforce gap.
Furthermore, cross-referencing this data with broader industry reports provides context. Boeing’s recent outlook similarly identifies Southeast Asia as a growth engine, forecasting a need for nearly 4,885 new aircraft in that sub-region alone. Meanwhile, independent analysis from Aviation Week suggests the broader Asia-Pacific and China region will account for 30% of global MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) demand over the next decade. The alignment between these major forecasts underscores the consensus that the center of gravity for global aviation is firmly shifting toward Asia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total value of the Asia-Pacific aviation services market by 2044?
Airbus forecasts the market will reach US$138.7 billion by 2044.
Which sector within aviation services is growing the fastest?
The “Digital & Connectivity” segment is the fastest-growing, expected to nearly quadruple to US$11.2 billion.
How many new aircraft will the Asia-Pacific region need?
The region is expected to require 19,560 new aircraft over the next 20 years, representing 46% of global demand.
How many new aviation professionals are needed in the region?
The forecast estimates a need for 1.06 million new professionals, including pilots, technicians, and cabin crew.
Sources
Supply Chain
Mobix Labs Wins Engine Connector Order for Fighters and Widebodies
Mobix Labs received a six-figure order from a tier-one supplier for EMI-filtered engine connectors on US fighters and wide-body jets.
Mobix Labs has received a six-figure production order from an unnamed tier-one aerospace and defense supplier for connectors used in engine systems on multiple U.S. fighter jet platforms and on wide-body commercial aircraft, extending its engine-system work across military and commercial aviation.
In a press release published through Business Wire on November 5, 2026, the company (Nasdaq: MOBX) said the order covers custom-engineered connectors filtered against electromagnetic interference (EMI) that protect engine control and monitoring electronics. The release does not name the supplier, the specific fighter or wide-body types, or the exact value of the order. It presents the award as the next step after F-16 production orders and what it calls a 500% increase in F-22 component orders.
What the order covers
Mobix Labs, which describes itself as a U.S.-based provider of advanced, mission-critical electronic components for aerospace and defense, said modern fighter jets operate in demanding electromagnetic environments, where radar, communications and electronic warfare systems coexist with digital engine controls. The company said its filtering helps protect engine electronics from that interference.
“From front-line U.S. fighter jets to the world’s largest commercial aircraft, engine reliability is nonnegotiable.”
Phil Sansone, chief executive officer of Mobix Labs, said the order reflects the expanding role of the company’s technology and its growing reach into commercial aviation. The company said the award supports its strategy of expanding into mission-critical aerospace and defense applications through specialized, high-reliability components for established aircraft programs. The release does not give a delivery schedule for the new order.
How the order builds on F-22 and F-16 work
Fighter programs
On April 2, 2026, Mobix Labs reported new and expanded activity on the F-22 Raptor program from Irvine, California, including a new customer and increased demand from an existing partner. That release described the combined activity as “approximately a five-fold increase in component orders,” with production underway to support deliveries in 2026.
On September 8, 2026, the company announced its initial F-16 connector order, placed by a veteran-owned U.S. aerospace sustainment contractor that supports the Air Force F-16 fleet. Those EMI-filtered connectors are made by its EMI Solutions unit at a military-approved facility in Irvine. The September release noted that the Air Force’s F-16 Service Life Extension Program extends upgraded aircraft from an original 8,000-hour service life to as much as 12,000 flight hours, supporting operation of parts of the fleet toward 2050.
Beyond fighters
According to the September release, Mobix Labs components are used on the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, F/A-18 Super Hornet and F-16 Fighting Falcon. Its wider portfolio includes Apache helicopters, U.S. Navy shipboard secure communications systems, missile programs, Gulfstream aircraft, where AirPro News covered its Gulfstream component orders, and certified onboard systems for Boeing 737NG aircraft. The company operates through subsidiaries including EMI Solutions and RaGE Systems.
For scale, Mobix Labs said in an earlier release listed on its Business Wire page that revenue for its fiscal fourth quarter of 2026, which ended September 30, 2026, would exceed $1.6 million, the midpoint of guidance of $1.4 million to $1.8 million issued on August 17, 2026.
The commercial backlog behind the pitch
To support the commercial side of the order, Mobix Labs cites figures from ADS, the UK trade association for aerospace, defence, security and space. In data published on August 31, 2026, ADS said the global commercial aircraft backlog reached a record 17,037 aircraft in July 2026, equal to more than 12 years of production at current delivery rates.
ADS reported that 1,573 aircraft were ordered in the first seven months of 2026, up 31% on the same period of 2025. Deliveries for January to July reached 794, the strongest performance for that period since 2018, but ADS said the backlog keeps growing because demand exceeds production, and it acknowledged supply chain and industrial challenges. Mobix Labs said engine supply is a critical factor in the pace of deliveries.
The company said it believes its U.S.-based manufacturing and its experience with high-reliability components position it for more military and commercial work. Its release also states that no assurance can be given of additional orders or revenue.
MRO & Manufacturing
Lufthansa Technik Extends PSA Airlines CF34 Engine Services Deal
Lufthansa Technik AERO Alzey has signed a new multi-year CF34-8 engine services deal with PSA Airlines, a customer of more than 26 years.
Lufthansa Technik AERO Alzey and PSA Airlines have signed a new multi-year agreement for CF34-8 engine services, extending a customer relationship that Lufthansa Technik says spans more than 26 years. The engines power PSA’s fleet of 60 CRJ700 and 94 CRJ900 regional jets.
Lufthansa Technik announced the agreement in a press release dated November 5, 2026, datelined Alzey and Charlotte. AERO Alzey, a wholly owned Lufthansa Technik subsidiary, will continue to provide comprehensive CF34-8 services to the American Airlines Group regional carrier.
What the agreement covers
Under the agreement, AERO Alzey will provide maintenance, performance restoration shop visits, on-site support, life limited part replacement shop visits and module shop visits. Lufthansa Technik did not disclose the value or the exact term of the contract beyond describing it as multi-year.
The company said the relationship is among the longest-standing in AERO Alzey’s CF34 engine business and has grown alongside PSA’s fleet growth and operational needs.
Matthew Key, Vice President of Technical Operations Strategy and Sourcing at PSA Airlines, said: “Relationships like this don’t last 26 years because of contracts.” He credited mutual reliability, mutual support and a focus on delivering results. Judith Wedlich-Blender, Chief Operations Officer of Lufthansa Technik AERO Alzey, said: “Every engine we maintain in Alzey represents much more than a technical component.”
The carrier and the engine shop
PSA Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group and flies regional service as American Eagle. It has more than 5,500 employees and operates over 730 daily flights to more than 100 destinations across the United States. The carrier has also invested in its own maintenance infrastructure, including a Knoxville maintenance base that AirPro News covered in April 2025.
Lufthansa Technik AERO Alzey GmbH provides manufacturer-independent engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for regional passenger aircraft and the latest-generation medium-haul jet engines. It has operated for over 35 years at its facility in Alzey, in the Rhine-Hessian region, where the 71,000 square meter site employs around 800 people. Its parent, Lufthansa Technik, employs more than 22,000 people worldwide.
Lufthansa Technik’s other recent engine news includes Flair Airlines’ 15-year LEAP-1B deal, covered by AirPro News in September 2026, and an expansion of Lufthansa Technik Engine Services in Tulsa, which the company’s newsroom lists under October 21, 2026.
MRO & Manufacturing
Liebherr-Aerospace Opens Sydney Office for Australasian Customers
Liebherr-Aerospace has opened a representative office in Sydney to serve Australia and New Zealand ahead of major Qantas fleet programs.
Liebherr-Aerospace has opened a representative office in Sydney to serve customers across Australia and New Zealand, as the Australian market prepares for major fleet programs including Qantas Group’s Project Sunrise. The office sits within the Liebherr Group’s existing facility in Pyrmont, New South Wales.
The company announced the opening in a press release dated November 5, 2026. It said the office will strengthen existing relationships, build new local ones and improve customer services in a region where aviation is undergoing significant fleet renewal and investment.
Why Australia and New Zealand
Liebherr-Aerospace described Australia and New Zealand as important markets for both commercial aviation and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) activities. The release ties the timing to three fleet programs in the Australian market: Project Sunrise with the Airbus A350-1000ULR, the introduction of the Airbus A321XLR and the modernization of the regional fleet of Qantas Airways (QF).
Joël Cadaux, Asia-Pacific Regional Head for the Aerospace & Transportation Division, said: “We are very pleased to be closer to our customers in Australia and New Zealand.” Andrew Schultz, Managing Director of Liebherr-Australia Pty Ltd, welcomed the division to the group’s Sydney facility. Liebherr-Australia has provided machinery, services and technical support across Australia since 1981.
How the office fits the Liebherr-Aerospace network
Liebherr-Aerospace supplies flight control and actuation systems, landing gear, air management systems, and gears, gearboxes and electronics for civil and military aircraft and helicopters. Its centers of excellence include Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH in Germany, for flight control, actuation, gears, gearboxes and landing gear systems, and Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse SAS in France, for air management systems. The Lindenberg company, founded in 1960, employs 3,490 people.
The Sydney office follows a similar regional step in India. In February 2019, Liebherr-Aerospace opened a larger regional office in Bangalore to support Indian operators, manufacturers and suppliers and to coordinate projects with Lindenberg and Toulouse. At the time, its customer service network also included centers in Singapore and Shanghai.
The company’s recent MRO work in the wider region includes China Airlines’ A350 nose landing gear contract, served through an asset exchange in Singapore. In Europe, it opened a heat transfer equipment center in France in October 2026.
Liebherr-Aerospace did not disclose how many people will work at the Sydney office.
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