PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1668740
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1668740
Aircraft towbars are mechanical devices equipped with elongated metal bars and coupling mechanisms at one end, designed to connect to an aircraft's landing gear or nose gear. They facilitate the movement, towing, pushback, and handling of aircraft on the ground, aiding in various ground operations and maintenance tasks.
The primary product categories within the realm of aircraft towbars include multi-head and standard/universal towbars. Multi-head towbars feature multiple interchangeable or adjustable heads or attachments. This category encompasses conventional towbars, towbarless aircraft tractors, and electric towbars. These towbars are typically constructed using aluminum and steel materials and employ mechanisms such as shear pins and clamps. End-users of these products include airlines, ground handling service providers, as well as military and defense entities.
The aircraft towbars market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides aircraft towbars market statistics, including aircraft towbars industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an aircraft towbars market share, detailed aircraft towbars market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the aircraft towbars industry. This aircraft towbars market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The aircraft towbars market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $2.95 billion in 2024 to $3.08 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to air travel industry growth, expansion of airport infrastructure, fleet expansion by airlines, stringent safety regulations, increasing cargo and freight operations
The aircraft towbars market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.69 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to focus on ground handling efficiency, introduction of larger aircraft models, global air traffic recovery, integration with digital technologies, sustainable and lightweight design. Major trends in the forecast period include enhanced safety features, remote control capabilities, compliance with aviation standards, predictive maintenance solutions, introduction of smart electric towbars.
The increasing air traffic is expected to drive the growth of the aircraft towbars market in the future. Air traffic refers to the movement of aircraft in airspace, including take-offs, landings, and flights in transit. Aircraft towbars play a crucial role in managing and controlling aircraft operations, ensuring safe and efficient air transportation. As air traffic rises, airlines predominantly use aircraft towbars for ground handling tasks, such as moving or towing aircraft, positioning them for loading and unloading, and assisting with pushback and maintenance. For instance, in October 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation reported that in August 2024, 647,205 flights were conducted, marking a 2.61% increase from 630,761 flights in August 2023. Therefore, the growing air traffic is driving the expansion of the aircraft towbars market.
The growth of the aircraft towbars market is further propelled by the rising living standards and disposable incomes in emerging nations. As living standards improve and disposable incomes increase in developing economies, more individuals and households can afford air travel for both business and leisure. This heightened demand for air travel contributes to increased air traffic, necessitating the expansion of airport infrastructure and the adoption of efficient ground support equipment, including aircraft towbars, to manage the movement of aircraft on the ground. For instance, the OECD Better Life Index notes that the average household net-adjusted disposable income per capita in the United States is significantly higher than the OECD average, reflecting the capacity of individuals to spend on air travel. The rise in living standards and disposable incomes in emerging nations is thus a driving force behind the growth of the aircraft towbars market.
A significant trend gaining traction in the aircraft towbars market is the establishment of strategic partnerships among major industry players. Companies within this market are increasingly forming partnerships and collaborative relationships to strengthen their positions. One such example is the partnership between Barfield Inc., a U.S.-based aviation company, and Dedienne Aerospace, a French aerospace maintenance tooling company, which was formed in March 2023. This collaboration aims to provide services and distribute ground support test equipment, enhancing both companies' positions in the U.S. Another notable partnership is between HIFraser Group, an Australia-based provider of safety-critical systems, and Langa Industrial, a Spain-based provider of ground support equipment (GSE) for aerospace and defense. Established in February 2023, this partnership seeks to deliver high-quality ground support equipment, including aircraft towbars, and ongoing support to the Australian defense and commercial aerospace markets. These strategic partnerships are vital for sustaining market positions and promoting growth in the aircraft towbars sector.
Major players in the market are actively focused on developing technologically advanced products to cater to the growing demand and broaden their customer base. A notable example is the introduction of the electric and all-wheel-drive towbar-a ground support vehicle designed for efficiently moving aircraft on the ground without the need for a traditional towbar. In April 2023, Eagle Tugs, a prominent U.S.-based aircraft equipment manufacturer, unveiled the ETT-X line-a series of fully electric tractors equipped with all-wheel drive capabilities. This innovative line includes two configurations such as the ETT-8X, designed with an 8,000-pound drawbar pull and the ability to tow up to 115,000 lbs, and the ETT-12X, featuring a 12,000-pound drawbar pull and a towing capacity of 171,000 lbs. The ETT-X series stands out as an environmentally friendly solution suitable for a diverse range of aviation customers, offering compatibility with over 1,000 aircraft platforms. Electric Ground Support Equipment (eGSE) such as the ETT-X is particularly well-suited for aircraft towing and taxiing, given that these operations typically involve short distances, allowing for efficient and eco-friendly solutions.
In September 2022, Vestergaard Company, a Denmark-based manufacturer, distributor, and supporter of advanced ground support equipment (GSE), made a strategic move by acquiring Kalmar Motor AB for an undisclosed amount. Kalmar Motor AB, based in Sweden, is a manufacturing company specializing in the production of aircraft towbars and other ground support equipment. Through this acquisition, Vestergaard Company aims to expand its product portfolio, enter new markets, and reinforce its position in the industry. This strategic decision reflects the company's commitment to growth and innovation in the field of ground support equipment, emphasizing the importance of continually enhancing product offerings and extending market reach.
Major companies operating in the aircraft towbars market include Makro Aero, John Bean Technologies Corporation, Textron Ground Support Equipment Inc., Weihai Guangtai Airport Equipment Co. Ltd., Tronair Inc., Red Box International Limited, Goldhofer AG, Clyde Machines Inc., Hydro Systems USA Inc., SAE International, Cavotec SA, Harlan Global Manufacturing LLC, Dedienne Aerospace SAS, DENGE Airport Equipment,AERO Specialties Inc., Aero Pacific Corporation, TLD Group, Aeroservicios USA Inc., Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co.,Techman-Head Group, Eagle Tugs, Zenith Aircraft Company, Aviation Ground Equipment Corp., Minimax Aircraft Tug LLC, JMS AG, Brackett Aircraft Company, K & M airporttechnik GmbH, Langa Industrial SA, Hall Industries Inc., HYDRO Systems KG.
North America was the largest region in the aircraft towbars market in 2024. The regions covered in the aircraft towbars market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa
The countries covered in the aircraft towbars market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.
The aircraft towbars market consists of sales of towbar heads, main gear towbars, nose gear towbars, customized towbars, towbar less towing systems, lightweight towbars, heavy-duty towbars, and towbar accessories. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Aircraft Towbars Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on aircraft towbars market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for aircraft towbars ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The aircraft towbars market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.