Decrease in Air Traffic in the Covid-19 Crisis to Adversely Impact Demand for Aircraft Refurbishing Services

The global commercial aircraft refurbishing industry is segmented in different segments; aircraft type, service, area, and refurbishment type. Aircraft type refers to the engine type used, while service refers to the maintenance requirements and safety-based certification that need to be met before operating an aircraft. Decrease in air traffic is expected to limit demand for aircraft refurbishing services. For instance, according to Airports Council International, the global air passenger numbers are expected to decrease by 5.6 billion during 2020, along with a US$ 104.5 billion reduction in revenue. Moreover, according to Preliminary Air Traffic Data, April 2020: the U.S. airlines witnessed 96% reduction in passengers from 2019.The global commercial aircraft refurbishing industry is segmented in different segments; aircraft type, service, area, and refurbishment type. 

Aircraft type refers to the engine type used, while service refers to the maintenance requirements and safety-based certification that need to be met before operating an aircraft. Decrease in air traffic is expected to limit demand for aircraft refurbishing services. For instance, according to Airports Council International, the global air passenger numbers are expected to decrease by 5.6 billion during 2020, along with a US$ 104.5 billion reduction in revenue. Moreover, according to Preliminary Air Traffic Data, April 2020: the U.S. airlines witnessed 96% reduction in passengers from 2019.

Aircraft refurbishing can be done for a variety of reasons: to add or update cabinetry and cabin fittings, to make the cabin air more comfortable, to make the cabin light and air-conditioned. They can also be done to remove debris from the cabin, add extra seatbelts, or add new overhead storage and/or lavatories. In some cases, they are also done to add security features, such as safety latches, emergency exits and other security features. Other times, they are done to customize an aircraft's appearance, such as changing the seat configuration of the aircraft. An example would be if an airplane has seats that do not meet the aircraft's requirements, such as extra leg room, or a seat configuration that does not suit the pilot's preferences, such as a wider seat. Sometimes, the change in the cabin is done to add or upgrade features that were not available before the original purchase.

Aircraft refurbishing companies offer their clients a variety of options when it comes to the cabin. From customized options for those who have a specific need (e.g., a narrow cabin in order to accommodate a child), to custom-made options for those who would like an aircraft cabin to look more like a typical private plane, a customized option can be used for every kind of aircraft including commercial aircraft. Custom cabin changes can also be made to provide more amenities and comfort to passengers.