AIRCRAFT DE-ICING MARKET SIZE AND SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECASTS (2024-2031)

The Aircraft De-icing Market size was valued at US$ 1.24 Billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 1.83 Billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% from 2024 to 2031.

Aircraft de-icing is a critical operation to ensure flight safety. There are primarily two types of products used for the de-icing of aircraft, de-icing fluids and de-icing equipment. De-icing fluids are generally a mixture of glycol or alcohol and water. Type I fluids are less toxic but have poor de-icing performance, while Type IV fluids are highly effective but contain more toxic chemicals. The fluids are sprayed using specialized de-icing equipment such as de-icing trucks, which come with spraying nozzles, tanks, and pumps.

Within de-icing equipment, trucks are most commonly used for larger aircraft while newer infrared technology is gaining popularity for smaller planes. Infrared equipment works by heating the aircraft surface using infrared heaters to melt the ice and snow. Compared to trucks, these systems de-ice faster and require less fluid. However, trucks provide a uniform coating of fluid, can de-ice tail surfaces as well, and the initial costs of infrared systems are higher. Overall, aircraft operators must evaluate fleet size, turn-around times, and service conditions while choosing the right de-icing product and equipment for maximum safety and efficiency.

Aircraft De-icing Market Regional Insights:

• North America: The North America region dominated the market revenue share by over 32%. The region has emerged as the dominant region in the global aircraft de-icing market. The presence of major airline operators and aircraft manufacturers give it an edge over other regions. The U.S. accounts for the largest fleet size of commercial and military aircraft which requires extensive de-icing facilities and services. Major airports in countries like the U.S. and Canada experience heavy snowfall during winter which increases the demand for de-icing substantially. Moreover, the region is an early adopter of new de-icing technologies and equipment to ensure safety of operations during adverse weather conditions.
• Asia Pacific has been witnessing high growth in the aircraft de-icing market of 28%. Rapid expansion of low-cost air travel in countries like India and China is driving the number of aircraft and passenger traffic. This has necessitated increased investments in de-icing facilities and services by airport operators and airlines catering to heavy footfall. The growing aviation manufacturing industry in countries, such as Japan, is also promoting the use of advanced de-icing methods. Additionally, busy airports in Southeast Asian nations experience extended winter seasons requiring well-established de-icing protocols. As the middle-class population grows, the demand for both business and leisure air travel is expected to surge consistently, thereby benefitting maintenance, repair, and operation activities in the future.
• Europe captures a significant market share owing to the presence of leading airplane makers like Airbus. Europe region has 19% of total revenue of aircraft de-icing market, Major European carriers have international operations and aircraft fleets crisscrossing different weather regions throughout the year, making de-icing an important part of their maintenance budget. Countries within Northern and Central Europe witness snowy weather for most part of the year, thus driving the consumption of de-icing fluids and equipment. On the other hand, Europe is at the forefront of developing new de-icing technologies and methods with the aim of enhancing efficiency and protecting the environment.

Figure 1. Aircraft De-icing Market Share (%), by Region, 2024

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Aircraft De-Icing Market Analyst’s Views:

The aircraft de-icing market is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period owing to increasing air traffic globally. The market is dominated by North America currently due to cold weather conditions and the presence of major airports. However, Asia Pacific is likely to emerge as the fastest growing region propelled by increasing passenger traffic and the opening of new routes in countries like China and India.

One of the major drivers for this market is the stringent safety regulations mandating use of de-icing fluids and equipment during winter. The growing procurement of new aircraft by carriers will further drive the demand for de-icing products. However, fluctuations in raw material prices may act as a restraint. Environmental concerns regarding the use and disposal of Type I fluids also remain a challenge.

Players operating in this market are focusing on developing sustainable and eco-friendly de-icing solutions to counter such restraints and tap opportunities in emerging economies. The adoption of hybrid and electric de-icing equipment is expected to gain traction in the coming years. Manufacturers are investing in R&D to optimize de-icing cycles and reduce turnaround times of aircrafts on ground. Collaboration with airlines to improve operational efficiencies during winter season also provides opportunities for growth.

The aircraft de-icing market is projected to witness steady expansion with the recovery of aviation industry post-pandemic and upcoming winter seasons. Ongoing technological advancements are helping address aviation industry.

Aircraft De-icing Market - Drivers

• Strict winter weather regulations: The safety of aircraft and their passengers is of utmost importance in the airline industry. With winter weather conditions like snow, sleet, and freezing rain posing several hazards, effective de-icing of aircraft before take-off is absolutely essential. Over the past few decades, weather-related aircraft accidents caused by contaminated wings or engines have highlighted the need for stringent de-icing standard operating procedures. International and national aviation regulators have consequently mandated airlines to follow prescribed de-icing protocols which involve specific holdover times and checks before take-off clearance. While this has undoubtedly enhanced flight safety in winters, it has also increased the de-icing requirements for airports and airlines. With regulations becoming more robust over the years to address even lesser holdover times, the demand for advanced de-icing equipment and fluids is expected to rise substantially. Airports are investing heavily in new de-icing trucks that can tackle more aircraft in lesser time while meeting the regulatory emissions norms. Airlines also need to periodically upgrade their de-icing fleets and training programs to be compliant. The tightening compliance environment driven by safety agencies is a major driver propelling the aircraft de-icing market forward.
• Climatic changes impacting winter operations: Global warming trends over the past decades have altered weather patterns around the world. Winters are becoming less predictable with increasing instances of freezing rain events instead of traditional snowfall. Such conditions pose even greater risks to aircraft as freezing rain can create an extremely smooth and transparent layer of ice on surfaces. It is much more difficult to detect this type of ice accumulation visually as compared to snow. At the same time, the average temperature variability during winters has also risen at many airports. All these climate changes have significantly impacted aircraft ground de-icing needs. The holdover times of existing de-icing fluids have reduced as ice adheres faster in some conditions than their approval testing scenarios. Airports experience longer de-icing seasons where early winter and late winter weeks also require de-icing equipment and crews to be on standby. The unpredictability caused by climate change is proving to be a challenge for flight operations planning. It is driving both airports and airlines to invest in newer technologies for aircraft de-icing to maintain safety compliance amid these fluctuating winter scenarios. This presents considerable opportunities for manufacturers of advanced de-icing fluids, trucks, and other systems catering to the evolving climatic conditions.

Aircraft De-Icing Market-Opportunities

Alternative technologies to glycol-based de-icing fluids: Glycol-based de-icing fluids are currently the standard in the aircraft de-icing market. Sources says that the Propylene glycol-based de-icing fluids are widely used in the aircraft de-icing market due to their effectiveness in removing ice and preventing ice formation on aircraft surfaces. Type I fluids, which are a heated mixture of propylene glycol and water, are particularly effective and have a rapid dilution rate under precipitation conditions, making them the most commonly used type of de-icing fluid. Ethylene glycol-based de-icing fluids are also used but are less common due to their higher toxicity compared to propylene glycol-based fluids.

New brine-based technologies have emerged that could provide a glycol-free option without compromising on safety or effectiveness. Being much less hazardous than glycols, these alternative fluids do not contaminate surface water or soil on the ground like glycols can. This reduced toxicity will become increasingly important as more airports aim to achieve environmental certifications and minimize their pollution footprint.

This creates a major opportunity for alternative technologies to fill this need in a more sustainable way. Government regulations are also driving this shift away from glycols. The U.S. has designated glycols as a pollutant under the Clean Water Act due to the dangers they pose to the environment and wildlife. Similarly, the European Commission has rated glycols as hazardous to the aquatic environment. As regulations tighten on glycol usage in coming years, airports will need compliant substitutes. New alternative technologies offer this compliance while removing the environmental and legal risks of using glycols.

Growth opportunities in cargo aircraft segment: The cargo aircraft segment within the aircraft de-icing market provides several growth opportunities looking ahead over the next few years. With the continued rise in global trade and e-commerce, demand for air freight and cargo transportation is expected to increase substantially. According to projections (2020) from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the volume of air cargo transported globally is estimated to more than double by the year 2040 compared to 2020 levels. As air cargo traffic increases sharply, there will be a growing need for efficient de-icing procedures especially at larger cargo hub airports around the world with high volumes of cargo aircraft operations.

Adopting new de-icing technologies tailored for cargo aircraft can help upgrade the de-icing process and make it more optimized for the cargo segment. Some aircraft like Boeing 747 freighters that are widely used for cargo have unique designs like side hatches that require specialized de-icing methods. Developing de-icers that can cover such hard to reach areas effectively will improve performance.

With the boom in e-commerce and just-in-time delivery models, the demand for timely cargo services is increasing rapidly. This emphasizes the need for avoidance of any weather related delays which de-icing ensures. The market sees huge potential in the Middle East and Asia Pacific regions which are emerging as major cargo hubs.

Aircraft De-Icing Market-Trends:

Adoption of infrared and electro-expulsive de-icing technologies: The adoption of infrared and electro-expulsive de-icing technologies is having a significant influence on the aircraft de-icing market. These new technologies are more efficient and environmentally friendly compared to traditional de-icing fluids. Infrared de-icing works by using high-powered infrared lamps to melt the ice without using any fluids. Similarly, electro-expulsive technology uses electric charges to break the bond between the aircraft surface and the ice. Both these methods cause much less damage to the aircraft surfaces and do not require the use of glycol-based de-icing fluids which can harm the environment.

The airlines and airports are moving towards these new technologies to make de-icing more sustainable and reduce turnaround times between flights. For Instance, Stringent aviation regulations necessitate the removal of ice and snow from aircraft surfaces, compelling the use of specialized de-icing solutions. The aviation industry's focus on passenger safety and operational efficiency fuels the need for advanced de-icing chemicals and fluids, driving the market's growth and continual innovation in this sector. The benefits of faster de-icing operations and environmental sustainability are driving more players in the aircraft de-icing market to adopt infrared and electro-expulsive technologies.

Increase in maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) activities and fleet modernization programs: The increasing MRO activities and fleet modernization programs across various airlines are significantly boosting the aircraft de-icing market. As aircraft fleets age, maintenance, repair and operations become more frequent. With growing passenger traffic worldwide, especially in colder climates, the need for proper aircraft de-icing has risen. Airlines are regularly refurbishing older aircraft or purchasing new planes to expand capacity and replace outdated models. This increases the number of aircraft requiring de-icing equipment and solutions.

For instance, major players in the aircraft de-icing market are focusing on strategic collaborations and investments in advanced technologies to expand their global presence and offer environmentally friendly de-icing solutions. Stringent aviation regulations necessitate the removal of ice and snow from aircraft surfaces, compelling the use of specialized de-icing solutions. The aviation industry's focus on passenger safety and operational efficiency fuels the need for advanced de-icing chemicals and fluids, driving the market's growth and continual innovation in this sector.

Many key players in maintenance, repair and operations (MRO), sectors such as Lufthansa Technik, and Delta TechOps, are substantially increasing their de-icing product offerings to cater to the growing aftermarket demands of airlines. They provide solutions ranging from hand-held de-icers to fully automated truck-mounted fluid and infrared systems.

Aircraft De-Icing Market- Restraints

High costs associated with aircraft de-icing procedures: High costs associated with aircraft de-icing procedures do pose a challenge for the growth of the aircraft de-icing market. Aircraft de-icing is an essential safety procedure that must be conducted during winters or in icy conditions to avoid any issues during take-off and flight. However, carrying out the de-icing process requires specialized de-icing trucks, well-trained personnel and environment-friendly de-icing fluids that are often expensive.

The entire de-icing operation, starting from the spraying of de-icing fluids to ensuring the aircraft is free from any ice buildup before take-off, takes significant amount of time. Multiple aircraft often queue up at airports during winters for de-icing, leading to flight delays. The extra manpower, equipment costs as well as the time spent on each aircraft adds to the overall expenses borne by airlines. According to data from Airlines for America, a non-profit trade organization representing major U.S. airlines, weather delays during the winter season of 2020-21 cost airlines approximately US$ 3 billion in losses. This clearly shows the huge economic impact of winter operations and de-icing needs.

The high costs of aircraft de-icing disincentives its increased adoption, especially in regions or airports with limited winter operations. This acts as a restraint for the expansion of the overall market. However, with climate change resulting in less predictable winters and increasing international operations even in colder climates, the safety priority of de-icing is driving the market growth. Technological advancements that promise more efficient de-icing and better predictability of ice formation could help lower costs in the future. Innovation will be the key to sustain momentum in this niche market.

Limited skilled workforce: The limited availability of skilled workforce is a major concern restraining the growth of the aircraft de-icing market. Aircraft de-icing is a highly specialized operation that requires trained professionals who can safely and efficiently remove ice and snow from planes before takeoff. However, there is a severe shortage of trained de-icers across airports globally.

Developing skilled technicians in this field takes time as the job involves complex procedures to de-ice different types of aircraft using specialized equipment like trucks and fluids. The technicians need to understand intricate equipment operations and follow strict safety protocols near aircraft and engines. They also need certification which includes extensive on-job training. However, attrition rates are also high in this job due to challenging work conditions with long hours spent outdoors in extreme weather conditions.

This shortage of skilled workforce limits the turnover of aircraft during winter and increases operation turnaround times. It also prohibits airports from efficiently scaling up de-icing operations to handle more planes especially during adverse weather conditions. These factors negatively impact flight schedules and mileage utilization of existing equipment. Ultimately, it restrains the market from reaching its true growth potential.

Recent Developments:

• In December 2020, Aero Mag, a Canadian company specializing in aircraft de-icing operations, launched the world's first electrically-powered truck intended for aircraft de-icing procedures.
• In January 2020, Invercon Inc. and NEI Corporation announced that their newly developed de-icing system was tested successfully at the NASA Glenn Research Center's Icing Research Tunnel.  

Figure 2. Aircraft De-Icing Market Share (%), by Application, 2024

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Top Companies in the Aircraft De-Icing Market

• Contego Aviation Solutions
• Textron Ground Support Equipment Inc.
• CLARIANT
• JBT Corporation
• Kilfrost
• Lyondell Basell
• BASF SE
• CRYOTECH
• Vestergaard Company
• DowDuPont

Definition: Aircraft de-icing is a critical maintenance process that involves removing snow, ice, or frost from an aircraft's surface before a flight this is essential for ensuring the aircraft's safety, as icy materials can build up, disrupt airflow, and interfere with the aircraft's performance during colder periods of the year.