Aircraft MRO market seen reaching $118B by 2030

The global aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul market is projected to grow from $81.12 billion in 2026 to $118 billion by 2030, according to The Business Research Company. Growth is being driven by larger airline fleets, more air travel, and rising demand for predictive maintenance and outsourced repair work.

Why it matters: - Aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul is a core cost and safety function for airlines. - Faster growth in the market points to more spending on fleet upkeep, digital maintenance tools and regulatory compliance. - Airlines and MRO providers face rising demand as commercial fleets expand worldwide.

What happened: - The Business Research Company projected the global aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul market will rise from $81.12 billion in 2026 to $118 billion by 2030. - The forecast implies a 9.8% compound annual growth rate through 2030. - The company said the market grew from $73.58 billion in 2025 to $81.12 billion in 2026, a 10.2% CAGR. - The report was published as part of The Business Research Company’s Aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) Global Market Report 2026. - The report includes market sizing, trends and forecasts for 2026-2035. - The company also offered a free sample of the market report. - The company also published the full market report.

The details: - Fleet growth, higher passenger traffic, better aircraft utilization, stricter maintenance requirements and broader commercial aviation operations supported the market’s recent expansion. - Rising demand for predictive maintenance, aircraft fleet modernization, lifecycle optimization, outsourced MRO and stronger safety and compliance requirements are expected to drive future growth. - The report highlighted predictive maintenance technologies, digital maintenance records, condition-based maintenance and specialized MRO services as major trends. - The global commercial aircraft fleet totaled 35,550 planes as of June 2025, according to the International Air Transport Association. - Of that total, 30,300 aircraft were in active service and 5,250 were stored. - The report defines MRO as the set of technical processes that keep aircraft safe, reliable and operational over their lifecycle. - The analysis covers Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East and Africa. - North America was the largest regional market in 2025. - Asia-Pacific is expected to post the fastest growth over the forecast period.

Between the lines: - The market outlook suggests airlines are shifting from reactive maintenance toward more data-driven upkeep. - More aircraft in service also means more outsourcing opportunities for specialized MRO providers. - The emphasis on digital records and condition-based maintenance signals a broader aviation push for efficiency and traceability. - The report’s regional split points to mature demand in North America and faster expansion in Asia-Pacific as air travel networks grow.

What's next: - Airlines are likely to increase spending on maintenance systems that reduce downtime and improve aircraft availability. - MRO providers should see more demand for predictive tools, specialized services and compliance support. - Fleet growth and safety requirements should keep the market on an upward path through 2030. - The company said its 2026 market reports now include market attractiveness scoring, TAM analysis, company scoring matrix graphics and tables, Excel-based forecasting dashboards, market hotspot infographics and updated trend analysis.