Research and Markets: Frost & Sullivan: Commercial Avionics Manufacturers to Weather the Storm in the Aircraft Industry by Introducing Technologies

DUBLIN-(Business Wire)-September 29, 2009 - Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/67fb80/world_commercial_a) has announced the addition of Frost & Sullivan's new report "World Commercial Avionics Markets" to their offering.

This Frost & Sullivan research service titled World Commercial Avionics Markets provides market sizes, forecasts, and trends applicable to the market. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following technologies: communications, navigation, surveillance, and integration.

Market Overview

Commercial Avionics Manufacturers to Weather the Storm in the Aircraft Industry by Introducing Technologies

Prolific aircraft production in the last few years as well as unprecedented retrofit and aftermarket sales have resulted in record profits for avionics manufacturers. However, both business and general aircraft manufacturers are increasingly trimming their production due to the economic slowdown and high prices of fuel. In fact, air transport aircraft production will decline by 4 percent by 2010, and business and general aviation aircraft production will be cut in half by 2010. In such altered circumstances, avionics manufacturers will have to re-strategize to stay afloat and design leaner operations and foray into niche markets. Although the overall growth is likely to be relatively flat over the next five years, some market segments such as integrated modular avionics (IMA), glass cockpits, and enhanced awareness devices are likely to exhibit more positive growth rates. "The 787 and A350 will both use IMA, which opens a new window of opportunities for component manufacturers," says the analyst of this research. "Glass cockpits are now the standard, even in piston aircraft, while enhanced vision systems, synthetic visions systems, and heads-up displays are also making major inroads into the market."

These newer technologies are avionics manufacturers' best bet to maintain market momentum until aircraft production starts to recover. Avionics manufacturers that operate in both the air transport and business aircraft segments are best fittest to survive these trying market conditions. Manufacturers that produce the newer technology systems can find buyers that traditional suppliers cannot. As the air transport market is likely to be the least affected by the downturn and the quickest to recover, manufacturers in this market space will be well positioned to grow in the next five years.

Avionics manufacturers will also feel encouraged by the introduction of several programs that compel aircraft producers to include advanced avionic systems in their aircraft. "Over the last several years, operators have included Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) criteria as part of heavy maintenance check or as individual programs," notes the analyst. "The upcoming changes driven by Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and the related Required Navigation Performance programs will have a similar effect on the air transport market." Older aircraft could need substantial hardware changes to comply with the 2020 U.S. implementation date and the earlier proposed European Cascade program, thereby making a case for commercial avionics.

Technologies

The following technologies are covered in this research: