They note that the civil airliner industry is seeing a period of strong growth with build rates reaching record levels. Consequently the supply chain is benefiting, with many sectors achieving impressive growth. The airline interiors sector is also benefiting from cabin upgrades due to strong competition between airlines to compete on the quality of their passenger experience.
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class (Credit: VAA)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvnVRoGcJ1w
Emirates A380 First Class (Credit: Houston Chronicle / Billy Smith II)
Even in the short haul sector airlines are investing. In June 2014 Keith Williams, British Airways’ executive chairman, said:
The short-haul landscape has changed enormously in recent years. To stay competitive and keep offering customers choice, great fares and great service, we are giving our cabins a radical makeover. There will be a new look, but the traditional British Airways’ comfort, elegance and value will remain.
The need to provide passengers with restricted mobility more equitable facilities is also important:
Counterpoint forecast that the compound annual growth rate for the interior sector will be 5.5% over the next 10 years (compared to 3.7% for engine parts and 2.7% for aerostructures).
There has also been a lot of consolidation in the sector too, with Counterpoint highlighting two rapidly growing companies::
B/E Aerospace has acquired 23 other interior companies since 1987 (three this year alone: Emteq, Wasp and Fischer)
Counterpoint argue there is still a role to play for smaller companies, but they will have to convince their customers of their financial stability and long term prospects.
Consumer technology changes every six to 12 months, but the lead times required for bringing new aircraft seats with inflight entertainment systems to market can actually take years due to a variety of factors, including the lengthy and convoluted process for clearing Head Injury Criterion (HIC) certification. The result is that, by the time an aircraft enters revenue service, its integrated IFE/seats can look and feel somewhat outdated to passengers.
Product Development Lifecycle (Credit: Thales)
Now the seat makers, IFE vendors and airframers including Airbus and Boeing are working together as part of a new Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) aircraft seat committee to streamline testing and make certification easier. This in turn will help the industry keep pace with the rapidly changing consumer environment, and better support airframers’ ramp-up of aircraft production.
