Numerous causes, including strict emission restrictions and rising need for environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient ground support equipment, are driving the market for electric aircraft tugs. Due to their greater performance and minimal noise emission, electric aircraft tugs are being used more frequently in the aviation sector. Additionally, these tugs dramatically lower maintenance expenses compared to traditional tugs because they require less maintenance and have a longer lifespan.
Due to the growing desire for convenience and speed, the aviation industry has seen a significant development in both air travel and freight. Due to this expansion, there is now a greater demand for effective aviation tugs that can handle and pull aeroplanes in a safe, rapid, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly manner. Since an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional fuel-powered tugs, electric aircraft tugs are growing in popularity as they lower expenses and pollution. Market trends suggest that the demand for electric aircraft tugs will expand at a compound annual growth rate of about 10% during the upcoming years.
As more airports adopt these affordable, effective, and eco-friendly options for their aircraft ground operations, the market for electric aircraft tugs is anticipated to expand quickly in the years to come. Comparing electric aircraft tugs to conventional fuel-powered ground support machinery, there are a number of benefits (GSE). These include decreased operational costs brought on by lower fuel usage and noise pollution. Electric aircraft tugs also have better safety records, are easier to manage, and require less maintenance.
Electric aeroplane tugs are vehicles with an electrical motor that are used to transport aircraft on the ground. In airports, they are generally used to tow aircraft from the gate or hangar to the runway and the other way around. There are two types of these tugs: conventional tugs and towbarless tugs (TBLT) (CT). While a
CT needs a towbar to connect the tug and the plane, a TBLT is made to tow an aircraft without one.
According to projections, the market for electric aircraft tugs would increase from USD 566.7 million in 2021 to USD 1.24 billion in 2031, at a CAGR of 13.2%.
Over the projection period, the market for electric aircraft tugs is anticipated to rise significantly, but there are some obstacles that could derail this expansion. Electric aeroplane tugs are still much more expensive than those fuelled by standard fuel. Some airports and aviation groups are unwilling to embrace them as a result. They are also unsuitable for big aircraft, such as wide-body planes, due to their limited capacity. This further restricts their use at some airports, which inhibits market expansion. However, producers are currently concentrating on creating electric tugs with greater capacities, which might help ease the current limitations. Government-sponsored incentives and subsidies to lower the cost of electric aircraft tugs are also anticipated to stimulate a more widespread deployment.
There are many regional and international companies in the extremely fragmented market for electric aeroplane tugs. Airport Equipment Supply Corporation (AESG), Dornier GmbH, JetBlue Technology Ventures, TLD Group, Lektro Inc., Brussels Airlines NV, Harlan Global Manufacturing Ltd., Canadian Aviation Electronics Ltd., and others are significant market participants.
Segment Analysis
The Towbar less Tractors Type to Emerge as the Most Lucrative Segment
Towbar less tractors and traditional tractors make up the two segments of the market for electric aircraft tugs. Due to the absence of a towbar connecting the tug to the aircraft's nose wheel, towbar less tractors are significantly more effective than traditional tractor types. The market for electric aviation tugs is now dominated by this category due to the growing adoption of these high-efficiency tug types. The demand for towbar less tugs is anticipated to grow more over the forecast period as a result of technological advancements.
The Most Popular Application Segment is Civil Aviation
The market for electric aircraft tugs is further segmented based on the types of aviation it is used for: military and civil. The increased purchase of new aircraft as well as the modernisation of current fleets are likely to result in a significant increase in the employment of electric aircraft tugs in the defence sector throughout the forecast period. Additionally, the demand for more effective ground-handling operations at airports has increased, which has sparked a boom in the use of electric tugs in civil aviation. Over the course of the forecast period, the sector is anticipated to continue to be the main source of revenues for the market for electric aircraft tugs.
North American region to render Adequate Financing Avenues
The market for electric aircraft tugs is segmented according to region into North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. Due to factors like rising demand for high-efficiency tug types and improvements to airport infrastructure, the North American region is anticipated to lead the global market. In addition, the large expenditures being made in building new airfields and improving existing ones will contribute to tremendous growth in the Asia Pacific area.
COVID-19 Impact and Market Status
The COVID-19 epidemic has had an impact on the market for electric aircraft tugs. The disruption of commercial operations has had a significant influence on both the civil and military aviation sectors' demand for electric tugs. The construction of electric tugs has been hampered by the disruption in global aviation manufacturing. However, the need for electric tugs is anticipated to increase in 2021 as aircraft continue to restart their services and airports search for affordable options. Additionally, continued military operations are likely to lead to steady increase for military aircraft tugs. By 2023, pre-COVID levels are anticipated to be reached once the market recovers in 2022.
Latest Innovations in the Global Electric Aircraft Tugs Market: A Snapshot
• The Aerosystems section of Lektro, Inc., a provider of aviation ground support technology, was purchased by Dornier GmbH in 2020.
• 2019 saw the acquisition of Canadian Aviation Electronics (CAE) by Harlan Global Manufacturing Ltd., expanding the company's offering of electric aircraft tugs.
Electric Aircraft Tugs Market Scope
Metrics | Details |
Base Year | 2023 |
Historic Data | 2018-2022 |
Forecast Period | 2024-2031 |
Study Period | 2018-2031 |
Forecast Unit | Value (USD) |
Revenue forecast in 2031 | USD 1.24 billion |
Growth Rate | CAGR of 13.2% during 2021-2031 |
Segment Covered | by Type, By Application, Regions |
Regions Covered | North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa |
Key Players Profiled | Airport Equipment Supply Corporation (AESG), Dornier GmbH, JetBlue Technology Ventures, TLD Group, Lektro Inc., Brussels Airlines NV, Harlan Global Manufacturing Ltd., Canadian Aviation Electronics Ltd., and others |
Key Segments of the Electric Aircraft Tugs
• Towbar less Tractors
• Conventional Tractors
By Application Overview, 2021-2031 (USD Billion)
• Military
• Civil Aviation
Regional Overview, 2021-2031 (USD Billion)
North America
• U.S
• Canada
Europe
• Germany
• France
• UK
• Rest of Europe
Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Rest of Asia Pacific
South America
• Mexico
• Brazil
• Rest of South America
Middle East and Africa