Commercial Aircraft Windows and Windshields Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

The commercial aircraft windows and windshields market is anticipated to register a CAGR of over 3% during the forecast period.

The demand for new-generation aircraft majorly drives the market for aircraft windows and windshields. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the commercial aviation market in many ways, and the effect of the pandemic is expected to continue even during the forecast period. In the commercial sector, passenger traffic plummeted drastically in 2020 and 2021. With the advent of multiple waves of the pandemic in many countries, the sector is expected to take 2-3 years to recover completely. This factor is also expected to affect the players in the aircraft windows and windshields industry, as their revenues are mainly based on the production rates of the aircraft OEMs.

The preference for lighter interior component products by airlines to reduce fuel consumption and fuel costs is generating demand for new composite windows and windshields.

On the other hand, the development of new and smart windows and windshields with new materials and technological features is expected to generate demand during the forecast period.

Commercial Aircraft Windows & Windshields Market Trends

The Cabin Windows Segment is Projected to Witness the Highest CAGR During the Forecast Period

The growth of the cabin windows segment can be attributed to the increased demand for aircraft and the type of aircraft produced. The aerospace industry continues to focus on advancements in technology to improve existing products and offer a better customer experience during travel. Most aircraft platforms have acrylic-based windows in their cabin. However, this trend is changing with the commencement of the most advanced next-generation B787 Dreamliner aircraft. B787 Dreamliner uses dimmable windows in the aircraft cabin supplied by Gentex Automotive. Gentex Automotive leveraged its proprietary electrochromic technology and worked with PPG Aerospace Transparencies Division to develop dimmable windows for B787's aircraft cabin. These dimmable windows are highly interactive and smart and allow the passengers to control the amount of light entering the aircraft cabin. The passengers can dim the light to five different levels using a switch located next to the windows. The aircraft flight crew can also control all the windows in the passenger cabin at the touch of a switch. Another advantage of these windows is the reduction in UV and infrared radiation transmission. Few OEMs that have adopted this technology are Boeing and Airbus, where Boeing's 787's windows and Airbus's A350s delivered in 2022 and beyond will feature electronically dimmable windows. Such developments are expected to drive the segment's growth during the forecast period.

Asia-Pacific to Experience the Highest Growth During the Forecast Period

Asia-Pacific is anticipated to record the highest growth during the forecast period. The growth of the aircraft windows and windshields market in the region is propelled by the fast-recovering aviation industries in China and India from the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries like Indonesia, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, and Vietnam are boosting this growth due to the ongoing investments in the aviation industry by public and private companies. In 2021, Boeing delivered 91 aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region, while 30% of the deliveries of Airbus were in the Asia-Pacific in the same year. China is leading the recovery of global commercial aviation due to great domestic demand, helping the airlines witness financial recovery. China has become a major hub for the aviation industry over the years due to high demand from civilian and military customers. Commercial aviation has been the key contributor to China's aviation industry over the years. On the other hand, the Indian carrier, IndiGo, took delivery of a record 36 Airbus planes between January and November 2021. Overall, IndiGo has ordered 730 A320-A321 families of aircraft so far. It took delivery of 186 such aircraft till the end of November 2021. Similarly, other countries like Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the Southeast Asian countries are experiencing a recovery in the commercial aviation sector demand, thereby driving the growth of the commercial aircraft windows and windshields market in the region.

Commercial Aircraft Windows & Windshields Market Competitive Analysis

The aircraft windows and windshields market is highly consolidated, with the majority of the share held by very few market players. Some of the prominent players in the market are PPG Industries Inc., Saint-Gobain SA, NORDAM Group Inc., GKN Aerospace, and Lee Aerospace. The development of new windows, with the integration of electronics that can help in enhancing passenger experience, is expected to attract aircraft OEMs. For instance, in 2019, Vision Systems developed a multizone dimmable window with an integrated transparent control panel based on electroluminescent technology and a motorized shade for two windows with a dimmable front panel. The company also plans to unveil a new concept of the smart window, in which images and videos may be displayed directly on the aircraft window or cabin divider. Companies like Airbus are looking to use the updated electrochromic technology that has been standard on Boeing's B787 Dreamliner aircraft ever since the aircraft took its first flight more than 10 years ago. This technology helps control the darkness of the window shades throughout the cabin. With these latest generation electrochromic windows, passengers will no longer have to manually push the window shade up or down aboard the new A350. They can adjust their window shade setting with the push of a button. While OEMs are focusing on improvements in such technologies, players are focusing on innovation to boost their market share in the coming years.

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