Flight Data Monitoring & Analysis Market Analysis

Market Insight- Global Flight Data Monitoring and Analysis Market

Market Overview

Flight data monitoring and analysis (FDMA) is the process of analyzing recorded flight data, in order to enhance the safety and maintenance of flight operations. Currently, apart from using for safer flight operations, flight data monitoring and analysis is used for enhancing flight crew performance, maintenance areas of a fleet operator, air carrier training programs and operating programs, air traffic control procedures, and aircraft operations and design to run a successful aviation organization.  FDMA offers various advantages including improved fuel consumption, reduction in fatal accidents, minimized unnecessary maintenance & repairs, and augmented pilot training programs. The global flight data monitoring and analysis market focuses on six regions namely North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa.

The global flight data monitoring and analysis market is estimated to account for US$ 881.31 Mn in 2019 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.4 % over the forecasted period 2020-27.

Market Dynamics- Drivers

1. Increasing adoption of FDMA as an integral part of safety management system is expected to drive growth of the global flight data monitoring and analysis market during the forecast period

Flight data monitoring and analysis has become a voluntary safety program intended to increase the aviation safety through proactive flight-recorded statistics. This program allows airlines to collect selective digital data from flight data recorders, which is installed on their airplanes. Thereafter, this data is used to identify particular events, which is called systematic management system (SMS). The SMS establishes a baseline safety margin and computes deviations from standards and risk areas. Moreover, if any potential risk trend is identified, a proper risk management plan is implemented and its effectiveness is monitored until the trend normalizes. According to the Flight Safety Foundation, predefined exceedances of selected parameters for corporate business jets decreased rapidly between 2006 and 2011, owing to flight data monitoring and analysis solutions. In 2010 and 2011, flight operation event rates were below 10 for 100 flights. Hence, these factors are expected to support growth of the market in the near future.

2. Strict mandatory regulations by national aviation authorities are expected to propel the global flight data monitoring and analysis market growth over the forecast period

Different aviation authorities regulate accident prevention and flight safety programs including International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (the U.K. CAA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). These authorities have mandated the use of Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) as a voluntary safety initiative in majority of countries (except the U.S.). According to ICAO and EASA, an airplane that has the maximum certified take-off weight of more than 27,000 kilogram must implement FOQA solutions as a part of its accident prevention and flight safety program. Moreover, according to a report by the Civil Aviation Authority in 2013, ICAO had recommended FDM for aircraft weighing 20 tons and helicopters weighing more than 7 ton. Therefore, these factors are expected to propel the global flight data monitoring and analysis market growth over the forecast period.

North America region dominated the global flight data monitoring and analysis market in 2019, accounting for 66.8% share in terms of value, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific, respectively.

Source: Coherent Market Insights

Market Dynamics- Restraint

1. Concerns regarding data accessibility and misuse are expected to restrain growth of the global flight data monitoring and analysis market during the forecast period

Although FQQA maintains the confidentiality of the data by protecting it from unauthorized access or any illicit use, many airline operators are still uncertain about sharing or submitting information to the aviation authorities. There are two major reasons namely concerns believing that regulatory authority might use the FQQA data for disciplinary action against the reporter. The other reason is that all the information associated with FQQA would be available to the general public under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). According to a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in 2010, a majority of scheduled air carriers are operated by airlines that implement FAA-approved FOQA programs. However, only 17% of the smaller carriers implement FOQA solutions. According to the report, this is primarily due to pilots’ concerns that the data can be misused.

2. Lack of expertise in some companies is expected to hinder the global flight monitoring and analysis market growth over the forecast period

Many airline companies do not have in-house expertise related to flight data monitoring and analysis. Since skilled personnel is required for proper monitoring and analysis of flight data, many small or medium-sized remain inefficient in FDMA. Thus, these factors are expected to hinder the global flight data monitoring and analysis market growth in the near future.

Market Opportunity

1. Implementation of wireless technology for aircraft maintenance solutions can present lucrative growth opportunities

Many aviation authorities such as EASA, ICAO, FAA, and the U.K. CAA are supporting the implementation of FQQA programs, in order to enhance overall safety and maintenance of aircraft operations. Wireless technologies that have a central server onboard and can be downloaded using tablets or other mobile devices are increasingly used for flight data monitoring and analysis solutions. Moreover, data-enabled flight decks offer significant consistency to a back-office assessment of the FQQA information, which in turn, provides higher cost-efficiency and productivity. Through wireless technologies, the maintenance data is transmitted to operators in line, which in turn, allows prompt repair services. As a result of this, dispatch reliability is ensured and unplanned aircraft-on-ground issues are reduced. According to the Safety Conference held by ICAO in 2015, China has built FOQA wireless base stations to enhance data-driven safety management and increase the number of airline operators that implement FOQA solutions.

2. Increasing demand for real-time analytics in the aviation industry can provide major business opportunities

Real-time analytics can prove to be beneficial for airline companies since it can offer the latest insights regarding safety and maintenance. Many companies are focused on providing real-time analytics, in order to enhance the market presence and gain a competitive edge in the market.

Source: Coherent Market Insights

In global flight data monitoring and analysis market, by aircraft type segment fixed wing sub-segment dominated the global flight data monitoring and analysis market in 2019, accounting for 89.6% share in terms of value, followed by rotary wing.

Source: Coherent Market Insights

Market Trends

1. Enhancing fuel efficiency in commercial air transport with FDM

Apart from enhanced safety and maintenance, FDM can help in monitoring fuel consumption for improved flight efficiency, which in turn, reduces maintenance cost. Since fuel prices have reached over US$ 8.0/gallon in the recent past, fuel efficiency has become an important factor for airlines. According to a report by the International Helicopter Safety Team in 2007, FDM solutions improve long-term engine performance and fuel economy. Moreover, according to the report in 2016 by General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC), the considerable number of general aviation power failures occur due to inadequate engine maintenance and therefore flight data monitoring is being used to forecast system issues prior to their point of failure.

2. Rising safety awareness in general aviation

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), general aviation has the highest accident rate every year within civil aviation. In majority of cases, improper pilot training to fly safely, weather conditions, and the pilot’s incorrect decisions are reasons for the accidents. According to a factsheet in 2016 by FAA, FAA and the airline industry is working together to develop safety strategies and reduce number of fatalities in general aviation through FDM solutions.

Regulations

Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) and EASA

• The Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) is an allied body of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) that signifies the civil aviation regulatory authorities of a number of European States
• JAA/EASA has indicated that ICAO standards will be followed through an amendment of JAR-OPS 1 in Europe

Competitive Section

Major companies involved in the global flight data monitoring and analysis market are Flight Data Services Ltd, Safran Electronics & Defense, Scaled Analytics Inc., NeST Aerospace Pvt Ltd, FlightDataPeople, Aerobytes Ltd, Helinalysis Ltd, Curtiss-Wright Corporation, French Flight Safety, Teledyne Controls LLC, Guardian Mobility Corporation, Metro Aviation, and Hi-Fly Marketing.

Key Developments

1. Key companies in the market are focused on product and service launches, in order to enhance product portfolio. For instance, in 2017, Teledyne Controls LLC introduced new hosted Flight Data Analysis (FDA) services for improved operational efficiency and security.
2. Major market players are involved in merger and acquisition activities, in order to gain a competitive advantage in the market. For instance, in January 2017, Curtiss-Wright Corporation acquired Teletronics Technology Corporation, a leading manufacturer of comprehensive flight test instrumentation systems for critical aerospace and defense applications.