Airbus sees China driving robust aftermarket services demand

Airbus expects demand for aircraft maintenance, digital services and training in China to surge over the next two decades, driven by fleet growth, an aging aircraft base and accelerating digitalization, the European planemaker said in Beijing on Thursday.

In its latest Global Services Forecast, Airbus projected that China would become the world's largest single aftermarket services market by value, expanding to about $63.8 billion by 2044 from $24.8 billion in 2025.

China is already Airbus'largest single-country market by fleet size. Passenger traffic rebounded strongly in 2025, led by domestic travel, with volumes 17 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019, while international traffic has recovered to more than 90 percent of 2019 levels, Airbus said.

The company cited continued investment in airport infrastructure and air traffic management as supporting rising traffic volumes while maintaining operational efficiency.

According to Airbus' Global Market Forecast, Chinese airlines are expected to take delivery of around 9,570 new aircraft over the next 20 years, a trend that would further boost demand for services throughout an aircraft's lifecycle.

Airbus said off-wing maintenance, including engine shop visits, would remain the largest segment, growing to about $44.8 billion by 2044 from $17 billion in 2025, as fleets expand and age. On-wing maintenance is forecast to more than double to $6.8 billion, while spending on modifications and upgrades, such as cabin retrofits, is expected to reach $3.1 billion.

Digital and connectivity services are projected to be the fastest-growing area, rising to $5.1 billion by 2044 from $1.4 billion in 2025, as airlines adopt predictive maintenance tools, optimise fuel use and improve passenger services. Training demand is also expected to increase sharply, with Airbus estimating that China will need more than 485,000 new aviation professionals by 2044, including pilots, technicians and cabin crew.

Airbus said airlines in China are accelerating digital transformation, with more than 9,000 aircraft expected to be equipped with inflight connectivity. The company estimates digital technologies could help operators save more than $2.2 billion through improved operations and a further $5.7 billion through fuel cost reductions, while enhancing the onboard passenger experience.