Aircraft Engine Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends And Forecast (2025 - 2030)

Global Aircraft Engine Market Trends and Insights

Twin-aisle production ramp-up boosts demand

Output targets set by Airbus and Boeing for 2026 mark the clearest signal that widebody assembly lines are returning to their pre-pandemic cadence. Engine makers must increase their weekly throughput while navigating lingering raw material shortages. CFM disclosed that 2024 LEAP deliveries trailed demand by 10%, though tier-1 suppliers are now shipping more than 90% of the scheduled volume, indicating gradual normalization.^{[1]FlightGlobal Staff, “LEAP Production Update,” flightglobal.com} Advances in additive-manufactured fuel nozzles and broader dual-source strategies aim to close the gap within two years.

Rapid LEAP and GTF uptake in Asia-Pacific

Fleet expansion across India, Vietnam, and Malaysia has produced the world’s densest pipeline of single-aisle orders. IndiGo’s purchase agreement for 280 LEAP-1A engines and VietJet’s commitment to more than 400 LEAP-1B units underscore the preference for high-bypass, low-fuel-burn propulsion.^{[2]Safran Group, “LEAP Engine Backlog and RISE Testing,” safrangroup.com} CFM shipped 1,570 LEAP engines in 2023 and retains an order backlog exceeding 10,600 units, providing near-term production visibility and reinforcing the narrative in the aircraft engine market around Asian carrier growth.

NATO modernization programs elevate military requirements

The KC-46A Pegasus tanker, A330 MRTT fleet expansion, and Portugal’s KC-390 Millennium orders collectively add dozens of high-thrust powerplants to the order book. Long-duration service contracts secure spares and overhaul revenue streams, providing OEMs with predictable aftermarket volumes. These initiatives also harmonize maintenance procedures across alliance members, elevating commonality in the aircraft engine market.

EU sustainable-aviation-fuel legislation reshapes design rules

ReFuelEU Aviation introduces staged mandates, climbing from a 2% SAF blend in 2025 to 70% by 2050, and sets a 0.7% synthetic-fuel sub-target in 2030.^{[3]European Commission, “ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation,” ec.europa.eu} Engine makers have completed extensive 100% SAF certification campaigns, and flight-test programs with GE Aerospace highlight drop-in compatibility. Tradeable credits incentivize early compliance and accelerate R&D into combustion-system adaptations, directing capital toward technologies that lower lifecycle emissions in the aircraft engine market.

Casting and forging capacity shortfalls restrict output

Specialty alloy turbine blades remain the key factor in achieving higher monthly production. Howmet Aerospace reported schedule slips affecting narrowbody delivery slots, and CFM instituted additional incoming-inspection gates after finding non-conforming hardware in 2024. Investment in powdered-metal supply and high-capacity HIP facilities is underway, although most expansions will not be fully operational before late 2026.

Hot-and-high durability concerns add maintenance burden

In Gulf environments, elevated ambient temperatures and sand ingestion shorten on-wing time. Airlines such as SalamAir have experienced an increase in unscheduled removals of LEAP 1A engines, prompting the OEM to develop reverse-bleed systems to mitigate dust accumulation. Compressor blade coatings and thrust-derate operating modes are being evaluated to extend service intervals without affecting dispatch reliability.

Segment Analysis

By Engine Type: Turbofan Strength Meets Hybrid Momentum

Turbofan units held 64.45% of the aircraft engine market share in 2024, a position sustained by the LEAP and GTF families, which dominate single-aisle platforms. High bypass ratios, composite fan blades, and digital engine controls underpin cost efficiency that airlines prioritize for fleet renewal. Hybrid-electric concepts are accelerating, as validated by GE Aerospace’s NASA demonstrator, which integrates a 2 MW electric motor with a thermal core. This project illustrates the transition path from incremental efficiency gains to partial electrification within the aircraft engine market.

Hybrid-electric propulsion, forecast to rise at a 7.51% CAGR through 2030, captures industry attention as regulators tighten emissions caps. Battery energy densities of 400 Wh/kg remain a technical hurdle; however, distributed-propulsion architectures promise substantial noise and fuel-burn reductions. Turboprops retain relevance for short-range routes where airport infrastructure constrains jet operations, while turboshafts serve offshore energy, EMS, and military assault roles. Together, these niches ensure diversified revenue flows that cushion cyclical swings in the commercial turbofan segment of the aircraft engine market.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Aircraft Type: Narrowbody Leadership Persists

In 2024, narrowbody programs accounted for 43.35% of the aircraft engine market size, primarily driven by the A320neo and B737 MAX families. Airlines favor the seating flexibility and route economics these airframes provide, leading OEMs to prioritize medium-thrust production lines. Widebody propulsion demand is staging a comeback as international travel rebounds, but sustained growth will hinge on punctual certification of the B777X and steady A350 output.

Advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicles represent the fastest-growing application, advancing at a 9.06% CAGR. Vertical Aerospace, Joby Aviation, and other pioneers are flight-testing prototype hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft with ranges up to 1,000 mi, targeting corporate shuttle and regional connectivity markets.^{[4]AIN Editors, “Hybrid-Electric Propulsion Progress,” ainonline.com} Military requirements span from high-performance combat engines, optimized for super-cruise and low observability, to adapted commercial cores in transport and tanker roles. This diversified demand pattern underlines the resilience of the aircraft engine market across aviation segments.

By Technology: Geared Turbofan Acceptance Grows

Geared-turbofan designs achieved 36.13% revenue share in 2024 as airlines validated their 15% fuel-burn advantage over prior-generation engines.^{[5]FAA, “Hydrogen-Fueled Aircraft Safety Roadmap,” faa.gov} The mechanical gearbox decouples fan and low-pressure spool speeds, enabling ultra-high bypass ratios. More than 4,000 GTF-powered aircraft are now on order or in service, despite early teething durability issues that demanded blade-coating improvements and combustor hardware upgrades.

Adaptive-cycle engines lead future-tech growth with a forecast 9.15% CAGR, particularly for sixth-generation fighters that require variable bypass and heat-sink characteristics. CFM’s RISE open-fan program has completed over 250 ground tests, demonstrating 20% efficiency gains versus today’s turbofans. Conventional turbofans and turboprops continue to serve operators with established maintenance networks, but incremental improvements, such as ceramic-matrix-composite hot-section parts, keep these architectures competitive within the aircraft engine market.

By Thrust Class: Mid-Range Units Dominate

Engines rated between 25,001 lbf and 50,000 lbf accounted for 40.5% of the aircraft engine market share in 2024, driven by the substantial volume of A320neo and B737 MAX-series aircraft on firm order books. Volume manufacturing enables economies of scale that lower unit costs and aftermarket part pricing. The greater than 50,000 lbf category is expected to grow at the fastest rate, with a 7.05% CAGR, as long-range twin-engined aircraft regain demand, led by GE9X installations on B777X airframes.

Thrust classes below 10,000 lbf serve business jets and UAVs, where compact cores emphasize weight reduction and rapid spool-up. The 10,001 to 25,000 lbf bracket supports regional jets and military trainers, niches that show moderate growth as emerging markets deepen regional connectivity. Together, these classes ensure the aircraft engine market remains balanced across a broad power spectrum, mitigating the risk of over-reliance on any single program.

By Component: Turbines Drive Value Capture

High-pressure turbines accounted for 36.75% of 2024 revenue, as single-crystal nickel alloys, directional solidification processes, and complex cooling channels increase costs and technological entry barriers. Compressor stages follow closely, leveraging blisk manufacturing to reduce part count and improve aerodynamic efficiency. Variable-area nozzles contribute to noise abatement and thrust optimization, while FADEC and sensor suites integrate digital health monitoring that underpins predictive maintenance.

Gearboxes are the most dynamic component line, projected to post a 5.5% CAGR to 2030. Pratt & Whitney’s GTF reduction gear system operates at 44,000 hp, highlighting the engineering challenge and margin opportunity. Additive-manufactured planetary gears and advanced surface treatments are in qualification, promising weight and durability benefits that will further shape aircraft engine competitiveness. The other components subsegment includes the combined revenue share of fan, combustor, FADEC, and control electronics.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By End-User: Factory-Fit Still Leads

Original-equipment installations on new airframes continue to account for the majority of delivery volumes. Demand aligns with the incremental ramp-up at final-assembly lines, underscoring the close linkage between aircraft OEM build rates and factory-fit engine shipments.

Aftermarket activity, encompassing overhauls, module exchanges, and long-term service agreements, exhibits the steeper growth curve. Airlines that deferred heavy maintenance in 2020-22 are returning large engines for shop visits, stretching capacity at OEM and independent facilities. Safran’s plan to process 1,200 LEAP shop visits annually by 2028 demonstrates strategic investment in high-value services. Digital twins and predictive analytics platforms are emerging as differentiators as participants compete on turnaround time and cost transparency within the aircraft engine market.

Geography Analysis

The Asia-Pacific region held 33.21% of global revenue in 2024, a position reinforced by high traffic growth, open-skies agreements, and aggressive fleet renewal agendas among low-cost carriers. China's C919 program relies on LEAP-1C propulsion, while India's defense road map now includes potential GE participation in its Indigenous AMCA fighter, which could catalyze local MRO ecosystems. Southeast Asian hubs continue to benefit from tourism rebound and e-commerce logistics, fortifying demand visibility in the aircraft engine market.

North America remains a mature yet lucrative arena where replacement cycles for narrowbody workhorses and defense spending converge. The US Air Force KC-46A tanker and F-35 engine lots sustain high-thrust production, while a dense maintenance footprint anchors the global aftermarket. Sustainable aviation fuel infrastructure pilots in California and Texas also create early adopter opportunities for SAF-ready engines.

Middle East operators headline growth at a 6.75% CAGR, fuelled by fleet expansions at Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Saudia. Harsh desert environments necessitate specialized maintenance, prompting regional MRO joint ventures that leverage OEM technology transfer. Europe maintains its technological leadership through Airbus' final assembly, SAF legislative frameworks, and robust regional jet networks. Africa remains the smallest region but posts the highest proportional fleet-growth forecast, supported by leasing models that lower capital barriers and new route rights under the African Continental Free Trade Area.