by The global air transport USM market stood at USD 7.93 billion in 2023 and is forecasted to climb to nearly USD 12.36 billion by 2033, registering a CAGR of 4.54% over 2024–2033.
The market is driven by the growing need for cost efficiency in aviation, the rising availability of retired aircraft providing reusable components, and the steady expansion of global fleets. Airlines and MROs are increasingly turning to USM to lower expenses, improve operational efficiency, and support sustainability goals, making it a critical part of modern aviation strategies.
Air Transport USM Market Overview
The air transport used serviceable material (USM) market has become a vital part of the aviation industry, driven by the increasing demand for cost-effective maintenance solutions. Airlines and MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) providers are turning toward USM to reduce operational expenses, extend aircraft life cycles, and ensure sustainability. With rising air passenger traffic and the need to keep older aircraft operational, the market is witnessing strong adoption across regions.
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Air Transport USM Market Growth
The global air transport USM market is experiencing steady growth due to the expanding global aircraft fleet and rising pressure to reduce maintenance costs. The industry is particularly benefitting from an increasing number of retired aircraft, which serve as a major source of serviceable parts. Airlines prefer USM as it helps lower the cost of ownership while ensuring quick availability of spare parts.
Additionally, the push for sustainability is fueling market expansion. By recycling and reusing components, the aviation sector is reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact. With more airlines adopting circular economy practices, the USM market is expected to play a critical role in shaping a cost-efficient and eco-friendly future for aviation.
Air Transport USM Market Trends
Growing Adoption of Digital Platforms: The USM market is undergoing digital transformation, with airlines, MROs, and lessors increasingly using online marketplaces to trade components. Blockchain integration ensures real-time tracking, fraud prevention, and traceability, which is vital in a highly regulated industry. This trend is reducing lead times, enhancing transparency, and making global transactions more efficient.
Sustainability Focus: The aviation industry is under significant pressure to meet global sustainability goals. By reusing and recycling components, airlines are not only cutting costs but also minimizing waste. Using USM reduces the need for new manufacturing, lowering carbon emissions in the supply chain. This aligns perfectly with the industry’s broader commitment to net-zero targets and green aviation practices.
Rising Demand from Low-Cost Carriers: Low-cost carriers (LCCs) are the biggest beneficiaries of USM adoption. Since they operate on thin margins, their business models thrive on cost efficiency. By leveraging USM, LCCs can cut maintenance expenses while ensuring reliable operations. This approach allows them to offer competitive ticket prices while maintaining fleet availability and safety.
Integration with Predictive Maintenance: Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and IoT are revolutionizing aircraft maintenance. Predictive systems can identify early signs of component wear, allowing timely replacement with USM parts. This not only avoids unplanned downtime but also maximizes the lifespan of used serviceable materials. The integration of digital diagnostics with the USM supply chain is paving the way for data-driven, efficient aviation maintenance.
Cost Savings without Compromise
In the aviation industry, air transport stands out for its ability to balance efficiency and safety with long-term cost savings. While the initial investment in aircraft and infrastructure is high, airlines often achieve significant operational savings through optimized routes, quicker turnaround times, and the use of serviceable materials (USM). This ensures that cost savings are realized without compromising on safety or passenger experience.
Strict Rules, Guaranteed Quality
Air transport operates under some of the strictest international regulations. Every component, process, and flight is governed by safety standards set by organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These strict rules guarantee the quality, reliability, and safety of air travel, making it one of the most secure means of transport globally.
Main Advantage of Air Transportation
- Speed and Efficiency – Air transport is the fastest mode of transportation, enabling passengers and cargo to cover long distances in minimal time. This is critical for international travel, perishable goods, and urgent shipments.
- Global Connectivity – Air transportation links remote regions and global markets, facilitating international trade, tourism, and business operations.
- Reliability and Punctuality – Airlines generally operate on strict schedules, ensuring timely deliveries and dependable travel, which is essential for industries like healthcare, e-commerce, and electronics.
- Safety – Statistically, air travel is one of the safest modes of transportation, with strict regulatory oversight and advanced navigation and safety systems.
Main Disadvantage of Air Transportation
- High Operational Costs – Air transport involves expensive fuel, maintenance, airport fees, and regulatory compliance, making it costlier than road, rail, or sea transport.
- Environmental Impact – Aircraft contribute significantly to carbon emissions and noise pollution. The industry is working on innovations like sustainable aviation fuels and more efficient engines, but environmental challenges persist.
- Weather Dependency – Flights can be delayed or canceled due to adverse weather conditions, which can disrupt schedules and supply chains.
- Limited Cargo Capacity – Compared to sea or rail transport, aircraft have restricted cargo space, making them less suitable for very large or bulky shipments.
- Infrastructure Dependency – Air transport requires well-developed airports, air traffic control, and maintenance facilities. Regions without this infrastructure cannot fully benefit from air services.
How is Air Transport Useful to Us?
Air transport plays a vital role in modern life by providing fast and reliable connectivity across the globe. It supports tourism, international business, and cultural exchange, while enabling the rapid movement of perishable goods, urgent documents, and critical supplies. In emergencies, air transport proves lifesaving by facilitating medical evacuations, disaster relief, and humanitarian aid deliveries. Beyond these practical benefits, it drives economic growth by creating jobs, boosting trade, and supporting regional development, while also promoting technological exchange, healthcare access, and national security through the swift deployment of resources.
Why Air Transport Matters Today
Air transport plays a central role in today’s interconnected world. It enables globalization by connecting businesses, cultures, and economies. From international tourism to business travel, air transport allows people to move across continents in hours rather than weeks.
The sector is also crucial for modern supply chains. Just-in-time manufacturing depends heavily on fast delivery of components and raw materials, something that only air transport can provide. Industries such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and e-commerce rely on aviation to move high-value goods quickly and securely.
Air Transport USM Market Dynamics
Drivers
Cost Efficiency: Airlines continue to operate under immense financial pressure due to fluctuating fuel prices, rising regulatory expenses, and intense competition. In this environment, USM provides a practical and cost-effective alternative to new OEM parts. By using certified serviceable materials, operators can significantly cut maintenance expenses while keeping safety standards intact.
Growing Retired Aircraft Fleet: The global fleet of retired aircraft has been steadily increasing, especially following the pandemic, which forced many airlines to downsize and restructure their operations. These retired aircraft serve as a valuable source of reusable components, ensuring a consistent and cost-friendly supply of USM for both airlines and MROs.
Opportunities
- Digital Transformation: The emergence of digital platforms for USM trading is creating vast opportunities. Blockchain and AI-driven tools are enabling faster, more secure, and more transparent global transactions, helping stakeholders streamline procurement processes and reduce delays.
- Emerging Economies: Markets in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa are witnessing rapid fleet growth due to increasing air passenger traffic. Airlines in these regions, especially low-cost carriers, are seeking affordable maintenance solutions creating lucrative opportunities for USM providers to establish a strong presence.
- Sustainability Initiatives: The aviation industry is under pressure to reduce its carbon footprint. By recycling and reusing components, airlines can minimize waste and emissions. This focus on sustainability is positioning USM as a green solution that aligns with global environmental goals.
Challenges
- Regulatory Barriers: Compliance with international safety and certification standards remains a major challenge for USM suppliers. Since parts are often sourced globally, ensuring that they meet stringent regulatory requirements can be time-consuming and costly.
- Supply Uncertainty: The availability of USM depends heavily on aircraft retirements and teardowns. These cycles fluctuate with airline strategies and global demand, creating uncertainty in the supply chain and affecting consistent availability of serviceable components.
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Applications in the Market
Commercial airlines are the largest users of USM, as they constantly need affordable and certified components to maintain their fleets. By using serviceable parts from retired aircraft, they reduce maintenance costs while keeping aircraft operational without compromising safety.
Cargo operators also benefit significantly from USM adoption. Many cargo fleets consist of older aircraft models, and USM ensures cost-effective access to components, extending aircraft life and supporting tight delivery schedules.
Regional operators, which often run on thinner margins compared to larger carriers, rely on USM for affordable spare parts and quick turnaround maintenance. This helps them maintain service frequency while keeping expenses under control.
Case Study – USM Driving Operational Transformation
A leading low-cost carrier in North America faced growing expenses due to the high cost of engine component replacements. To address this challenge, the airline adopted a USM strategy, sourcing certified serviceable parts from retired fleets instead of purchasing only new OEM components.
The results were significant. The airline managed to reduce its annual maintenance costs by nearly 20 percent. Additionally, downtime was minimized, leading to improved fleet availability. The savings generated through USM adoption were reinvested into expanding the fleet and enhancing customer service initiatives.
This case highlights how USM not only drives cost savings but also provides airlines—especially low-cost carriers—with a competitive edge in a highly price-sensitive industry.
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Top Key Players in Air Transport USM Market
- A J Walter Aviation Limited
- AAR Corp.
- AerSale Inc.
- AJ Walter Aviation Limited
- Boeing Company
- Delta TechOps
- GA Telesis, LLC
- General Electric
- HEICO Corporation
- Liebherr Group
- Satair
Air Transport USM Market Segmentation
By Provider
- OEM
- Aftermarket
By Aircraft
- Narrowbody jet
- Widebody jet
- Turboprop
- Regional jet
By Product
- Engine
- Component
- Airframe
- Others
By Region
- North America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- Latin America
- Latin America
Future Outlook – USM as a Pillar of Sustainable Aviation
The future of the air transport USM market is strongly tied to digital transformation. Online trading platforms, blockchain verification, and AI-driven solutions are set to create a more transparent and efficient USM ecosystem worldwide.
Predictive analytics will also play a vital role. By integrating AI and IoT into fleet monitoring, airlines can identify potential component failures in advance, ensuring timely replacement with USM parts and avoiding costly delays.
Sustainability will be another key driver shaping the market. As airlines pursue net-zero carbon goals, the recycling and reuse of components will become essential. USM adoption will contribute directly to aviation’s circular economy by reducing waste and lowering manufacturing-related emissions.
Regionally, North America and Europe will remain leading markets, but Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth, supported by rapid fleet expansion in China, India, and Southeast Asia. Low-cost carriers in these regions are likely to drive the strongest adoption rates.
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