Global Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032

Global Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) Market Outlook

The global electronic flight bag (EFB) market size reached a value of more than USD 2.93 billion in 2023. The market is further estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.40% in the forecast period of 2024-2032.

News and Developments in the Market

In June 2023, Collins Aerospace launched FlightHub, an Electronic Flight Folder that can be accessed from an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB). Through this, the company intends to make aircraft more sustainable and efficient by centralising airline data sources. Moreover, the folder enables customers to access flight information quickly and delivers real-time route recommendations to save fuel and time. Such launches are fuelling the electronic flight bag (EFB) market demand.

In May 2023, Thales announced that its new flight management system (FMS), based on the PureFlyt product, was selected to equip Airbus commercial airliners for improving airlines' operations and optimising flight paths. The new FMS, linked with Electronic Flight Bag, is intended to provide the best route, ease interaction with air traffic control, reduce airport congestion, lower fuel consumption, and decrease pilot workload.

In June 2021, Collins Aerospace introduced Electronic Cabin Bag (eCB) Solution, which automates crew tasks and enables passengers to use their electronic devices in the aircraft. With the launch of the solution, the company aims to offer enhanced inflight services and passenger experience, reduce the use of paper, and eliminate the usage of high-traffic call buttons.

Growing Focus on Efficient Aircraft Operations, Rising Concerns Over Passenger Safety, Rapid Digitalisation of the Aviation Sector, and Technological Advancements to Aid the Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) Market

An electronic flight bag is a device used in flight decks that assists crew members in efficiently managing flight tasks without using paper. It displays real-time aviation data like weather information, airport information, and aeronautical charts. Also, it performs basic calculations like performance, weight, balance, and fuel loading, among others.

• The growing importance of electronic flight bags in efficient operations of aircraft is contributing to market expansion.

• The rapid digitalisation of the aviation sector and the availability of an effective Wi-Fi range to connect electronic flight bags and securely deliver the information to the flight crew is supporting the electronic flight bag (EFB) market expansion.

• The rising concerns about passenger safety are resulting in the broader adoption of electronic flight bags as they lower the chances of human error and improve onboard safety.

• Technological advancements are expected to drive the use of electronic flight bags to depict real-time conditions and in-flight data, among others.

Efficient Management of Air Traffic, Increasing Fuel-Efficient Aircraft, Improved Passenger Safety, and Digitalisation in Aviation Sector Are Some of the Key Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) Market Trends

Electronic Flight Bag Contributes to the Efficient Management of Increasing Air Traffic

Electronic flight bags play a critical role in providing real-time administrative information, enabling airlines to make improved operational decisions, and helping manage air traffic. Thus, the expanding air traffic is driving the demand for electronic flight bags to control different aircraft functions. 

Rising Inclination Towards Fuel-efficient Airlines

Electronic flight bags incorporate fuel-saving solutions that use planned data, such as big data algorithms, to offer fuel-preservation solutions for airlines. Moreover, EFBs reduce the use of paper, which helps in reducing weight and saving fuel. There is a rising inclination towards fuel-efficient airlines owing to their environment-friendly nature and cost-efficiency, resulting in the electronic flight bag (EFB) market development. 

Increasing Concerns over Passenger Safety Leading to the Wider Adoption of EFBs

An electronic flight bag monitors the performance of the aircraft and automatically reports safety issues, thereby resulting in the speedy handling of maintenance issues. The rising concerns about passenger safety are resulting in the wider adoption of electronic flight bags as they lower the chances of human error and improve onboard safety. 

Rapid Digitalisation of the Aviation Sector

The digitalisation of the aviation sector and the growing availability of effective Wi-Fi range to connect electronic flight bags are fuelling the market expansion. For instance, in September 2019, Astronics Corporation launched the new version of its compact webFB Smart Aircraft Interface Device (AID) to gather the essential data from the aircraft and convey it to the electronic flight bag (EFB) apps on the webFB internal server.  

Inexperienced Pilots and System or Equipment Failure to Pose as Challenges in the Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) Market

Lack of Experience Among Pilots

The inexperience of pilots about the functionality of a new EFB due to the lack of training can result in missing crucial information and loss of position awareness. Low awareness about the data limitations of electronic flight bags can result in over-reliance on an EFB, leading to the failure to crosscheck the electronic flight bags. 

Occurrence of System or Equipment Failure

The problems associated with the operations of an EFB due to a faulty battery, overheating wires or connectors can result in smoke or fire on the flight deck. Moreover, unexpected shutdown, automatically erased data, and unavailability of network connectivity may affect the seamless operations of aircraft.

Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) Market Analysis

The market, based on type, can be divided into portable and installed. Based on component, the market is segmented into hardware and software. On the basis of application, the market is classified into commercial, military, and personal, among others.

The major regional markets are North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. The comprehensive EMR report offers an extensive assessment of the electronic flight bag (EFB) market on the basis of Porter's five forces model, along with giving a SWOT analysis. 

The report gives a detailed analysis of the following key players in the market, covering their competitive landscape and latest developments like mergers, acquisitions, investments and expansion plans.   

• The Boeing Company

• Collins Aerospace

• Thales Group

• CMC Electronics Inc.

• Lufthansa Systems GmbH & Co. KG

• Others

Growing Demand for Portable EFBs Supporting the Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) Market

The rising demand for portable EFBs is supporting the market growth. As portable electronic flight bags can be operated both inside and outside of the aircraft, their adoption is increasing. A portable EFB offers easy installation without any tools, thereby decreasing the workload of the flight crew.

The availability of different classes of portable EFBs allows customer to choose the one that best suits their specific needs. Portable class 1 electronic flight bags are not connected to the aircraft system, thus they are easy to remove during turbulent periods without any administrative process, which is aiding the market development. 

Installed electronic flight bags are permanently mounted on the cockpit and are defined as class 3 EFBs. There are airworthiness regulations associated with the mounting weight, power, and data connectivity of installed EFB components to ensure safety in the airlines.

The Software Segment Holds a Substantial Share in the Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) Market

Software applications of an EFB are classified into Type A and Type B based on their function. The Type A software applications deal with passenger information and flight or duty rest calculators. The Type B applications include operational functions, such as the display of maps and charts, weather information, flight plan, and performance calculations, among others. Hence, the increasing adoption of effective software applications to reduce pilot workload by automating activities like take-off performance calculations is driving the market. 

Various favourable initiatives taken by market players to offer new features in software apps are favouring the electronic flight bag (EFB) market development. For instance, in April 2021, Bytron Aviation Systems launched the latest version of skybook Electronic Flight Bag with new features that intend to address several challenges in the aviation sector. The company made the electronic flight bag more user-friendly by reducing the number of clicks required to perform key tasks. 

There are different EFB hardware classes, such as Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3. The Class 1 hardware includes portable electronic equipment such as laptops, cockpit iPads, and other handheld electronic devices. They are used to display Type B software applications during crucial phases of flight. The rising utilisation of the class 1 hardware components in aircraft is aiding the market expansion.

Commercial, Military, and Personal are the Applications in Electronic Flight Bag EFB) Market 

Electronic flight bags are increasingly used in commercial, military, and personal aircraft to manage various operations, such as fuel efficiency, performance calculations, real-time information about airports, mapping, and response methods. The rising air traffic owing to rapid globalisation and cultural exchanges are significantly increasing commercial aircraft operations. Moreover, the convenience and enhanced services offered by commercial aircraft and its growing preference are bolstering the electronic flight bag (EFB) market growth. 

The improved living standards are leading to the wider adoption of personal aircraft to avoid airport security problems, airport crowds, and air rage. Personal aircraft provides a more flexible and controlled flight experience by eliminating waiting hours and offering a relaxing journey. 

The increasing use of military aircraft for various purposes to prevent enemy air attacks and rescue operations during national disasters is expected to aid the market expansion.

North America is Expected to Lead the Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) Market

In North America, the rising purchasing power is surging commercial and personal aircraft operations, which is driving the demand for electronic flight bags. Favourable initiatives taken by governmental organisations, such as the Federal Aviation Administration, to authorise the use of electronic flight bags are accelerating the market development. 

The expanding presence of airports and the increasing air traffic in the region are furthering applications of electronic flight bags. In addition, the strong presence of market players and their initiatives to offer efficient EFBs are projected to stimulate the market over the forecast period.

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Competitive Landscape of Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) Market

The Boeing Company is a leading global aerospace company involved in the designing and manufacturing of airplanes, rockets, satellites, and missiles, among others. With over 140,000 employees across nearly 65 countries, the company aims to innovate the future with sustainability.

Thales Group is a global technology leader, based in France. It develops and manufactures devices and equipment for the aerospace, defence, and security sectors. The multinational company uses Big Data, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology to build a trustworthy aerospace future.

Other key players in the market include Collins Aerospace, CMC Electronics Inc., and Lufthansa Systems GmbH & Co. KG, among others.

Key Highlights of the Report