The Great British Take Off
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Using data provided by Ascend, it is predicted that passenger numbers are set to rise by up to 80%, to 218 million by 2034. This projected growth in air travel will enable UK-domiciled airlines to invest in new fleet with an estimated spend of $75 billion expected over the next 20 years.
As well as replacing the 700 aircraft currently in service, airlines are expected to increase their fleet size with the number of planes in the sky projected to rise to 1,110 by 2034 – a growth of 60% compared with the previous 10 years.
This is great news for the UK’s aerospace sector which, as the largest in Europe, is of strategic importance to the national economy. Demand from UK airlines will enable the sector to continue punching above its weight in supplying world-leading parts, technology, components, technology and services to new commercial aircraft.
New aircraft are bringing about improvements in environmental performance. Wings that have been designed and manufactured by UK companies are stronger and lighter, and in the case of the Airbus A350, contribute to a 25% fuel saving performance.
Major improvements in engine design, such as the Rolls Royce Trent XWB, offer a 25% lower fuel burn per seat compared with the engines it is replacing and weight savings of 15%. Future innovation in engine weight saving and aerodynamics is expected to make engines 20 – 25% more efficient as they come into service over the next decade, which could translate into considerable cost savings.
Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of ADS Group, commented: “New cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient aircraft will help UK airlines deliver greater comfort and choice for the growing number of passengers travelling by air. In a highly competitive marketplace the technology and innovation developed by the UK aerospace industry will play a vital role in reducing the environmental impact of air travel and meeting increasingly demanding customer requirements.
“The commercial success of UK airlines will help drive demand for more than 900 new aircraft during the next 20 years. This will in turn help to sustain high value, long-term jobs across the country, creating new opportunities for apprenticeships, graduates and experienced engineers.”
The data from Ascend also predicts UK airlines will see a faster increase in capacity and passenger numbers to destinations outside of the traditional North American and European markets. More passengers are expected to fly more frequently to the Middle East, Far East and Indian Sub-Continent.
The report highlights changing passenger requirements, such as growing popularity of premium economy, and explains that airlines are ordering larger planes to meet demand with an 11% growth in the seating capacity of single aisle aircraft.
Aircraft seating is an important area of innovation for aerospace, with UK companies focussing on exploring new ways to create lighter, thinner seats which contribute to reduced fuel burn and create more room. Incorporating ‘plug and play’ capability into seat design is an upcoming feature; eventually passengers will be able to stream in-flight entertainment onto their own devices.
One on-going challenge for aviation and aerospace is the provision of consistent, high-speed wifi. This report explains why satellite technology is central to improving on-board internet access and highlights that more safeguards are needed to protect passenger privacy in the air.
As passengers return to air travel they will do so on aircraft that have are more efficient, comfortable, and are flying with greater frequency to more destinations. This comes as a result of investment in innovation by the aerospace industry. With UK aviation once again a major customer, it is making a greater contribution to the development of even better journeys as well as national prosperity.
