Paris-based research company Euroconsult forecasts that the number of commercial aircraft equipped with In-Flight Entertainment & Connectivity (IFEC) will double from today’s 8200 aircraft to more than 20,500 over the next 10 years.

The research suggests that satellite operators and service providers stand to benefit the most from the market growth with increased revenues associated with aircraft connectivity.

The report quantifies how many airlines will add cabin connectivity to their fleets and which regions will see the most demand. It also includes a discussion of the various business models that airlines are considering and how flexibility in service options will become a key decisive factor. It addresses the growing demand for real-time data on aircraft systems, operations and maintenance, and the impact of the “Smart Plane” concept on the amount of satellite bandwidth airlines will need.

Euroconsult’s analysis over the period from December 2018 through December 2028 points to increasing competition among service providers, which it predicts will result in decreasing bandwidth cost. However, this is expected to be offset by the dramatic growth in data consumption both by passengers and by the aircraft themselves.

“Demand continues to grow for connectivity in the aero industry,” said Xavier Lansel, Euroconsult Senior Consultant and editor of the report. “Our research on IFEC is an essential tool for companies that need to understand the intricacies of this market, how it is changing, and where the biggest opportunities lie. With less than 20 per cent of the world’s airlines providing internet connectivity to their passengers at the end of 2018, and more ‘Smart Plane’ connectivity coming, there is lots of room for expansion.”

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