Aircraft Nuts Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Material (Aluminum, Steel, Titanium, Others), By Application (Commercial Aircraft, Military Aircraft, General Aircraft), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 2.09 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.17%
Fastest Growing Segment	Commercial Aircraft
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 3.17 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Aircraft Nuts Market will grow from USD 2.09 Billion in 2025 to USD 3.17 Billion by 2031 at a 7.17% CAGR. Aircraft nuts are specialized internally threaded fasteners engineered to mate with bolts, securing structural and engine assemblies against the extreme vibration, temperature fluctuations, and pressure differentials inherent in aerospace operations. The market is fundamentally supported by the dual drivers of escalating global aircraft production and the rigorous maintenance schedules required for aging fleets, both of which necessitate consistent component procurement. This manufacturing momentum is evidenced by recent output figures. According to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, in 2024, total airplane shipments reached 3,162 units, representing a 3.0% increase over the prior year.

However, this expansion faces a significant impediment in the form of persistent supply chain fragility. Manufacturers continue to grapple with raw material delays and workforce shortages, which create bottlenecks in the production of precision fasteners. These logistical hurdles threaten to extend lead times and increase procurement costs, potentially dampening the otherwise robust growth trajectory of the sector.

Key Market Drivers

The surge in commercial aircraft production rates acts as a primary catalyst for the market, as original equipment manufacturers accelerate assembly lines to meet recovering travel demand. This ramp-up necessitates a proportional increase in the procurement of aerospace-grade fasteners, particularly self-locking and anchor nuts essential for maintaining airframe structural integrity under dynamic loads. As airlines strive to revitalize their fleets with fuel-efficient models, the sheer volume of required fasteners per airframe drives consistent order books for component suppliers. According to Airbus, July 2024, in the 'Half-Year 2024 Results', the company delivered 323 commercial aircraft in the first six months of the year, highlighting the intense manufacturing velocity that directly fuels component volume. This manufacturing activity is fundamentally underpinned by robust travel statistics which encourage fleet expansion. According to the International Air Transport Association, in 2024, total global passenger demand for May rose by 10.7 percent compared to the same month in the previous year, indicating sustained pressure on carriers to increase capacity.

Concurrently, the expansion of global defense fleets and modernization programs significantly influences demand for high-strength and temperature-resistant nuts used in military aviation. Governments are increasingly allocating funds to upgrade aging fighters and transport vehicles, requiring specialized fasteners capable of withstanding the rigorous flight profiles and extreme environments associated with defense operations. Manufacturers must supply components compliant with strict military specifications to support these strategic assets, ensuring reliability during high-stress maneuvers. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, April 2024, in the 'Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2023', global military spending grew by 6.8 percent in real terms to reach $2443 billion in 2023, creating a sustained funding stream for military aerospace procurement and the associated supply chain of precision fasteners.

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Key Market Challenges

Persistent supply chain fragility fundamentally restricts the growth of the Global Aircraft Nuts Market by severing the critical link between elevated industry demand and actual product delivery. Manufacturers face acute difficulties in sourcing high-grade raw materials and retaining the specialized workforce necessary to produce precision fasteners, which inevitably slows down production cycles. This inability to maintain consistent output creates significant bottlenecks in aircraft assembly lines, forcing original equipment manufacturers to delay completion dates. As a result, fastener suppliers experience deferred revenue and increased operational volatility, preventing the market from fully leveraging the current upcycle in aerospace manufacturing.

The direct consequence of these logistical hurdles is a measurable stagnation in fleet expansion, which caps the immediate volume of fasteners consumed by the industry. The magnitude of this bottleneck is evident in recent industry figures regarding unfulfilled demand. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in 2024, the global commercial aircraft backlog reached a record 17,000 units, while aircraft deliveries fell approximately 30% short of initial yearly projections due to these systemic supply constraints. This disparity confirms that while the requirement for aircraft nuts exists, the inability to finalize aircraft construction due to component and labor shortages directly impedes actual market expansion.

Key Market Trends

The adoption of additive manufacturing is transforming the sector by enabling the production of complex nut geometries that facilitate significant weight reduction. This technology allows for the consolidation of assemblies into single components and supports on-demand production, effectively mitigating supply chain constraints. Major industrial players are actively capitalizing on these capabilities to enhance manufacturing efficiency. According to GE Aerospace, March 2025, in the 'GE Aerospace to Invest Nearly $1B in U.S. Manufacturing in 2025' press release, the company allocated over $100 million specifically toward scaling the production of next-generation materials and additive manufacturing technologies to strengthen its domestic supply chain.

Simultaneously, there is a robust transition towards lightweight titanium and high-strength superalloys to align with industry decarbonization goals. These advanced materials are increasingly preferred over steel for their superior strength-to-weight ratios and durability in extreme environments, essential for modern engine efficiency. This material shift is directly supporting the revenue growth of key component manufacturers. According to Howmet Aerospace, February 2025, in the 'Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results', the Fastening Systems segment reported a full-year revenue of $1.6 billion, marking a 17% increase year-over-year, largely attributed to the rising requirement for these specialized aerospace fastening solutions.

Segmental Insights

The Commercial Aircraft segment is projected to register the fastest growth within the global aircraft nuts market due to rising global passenger traffic and the consequent modernization of airline fleets. Major carriers are actively replacing aging models with fuel-efficient alternatives, prompting manufacturers to accelerate production schedules and reduce significant order backlogs. This heightened manufacturing activity directly increases the consumption of essential structural components. Additionally, strict maintenance protocols mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration ensure a sustained requirement for component replacement, further reinforcing the strong expansion trajectory of the commercial aviation sector.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the global aircraft nuts market, primarily driven by the presence of major aircraft manufacturers and a robust defense sector. The region benefits from consistent demand for both commercial and military aircraft, supporting high production volumes of essential components. Additionally, strict safety regulations enforced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ensure a continuous requirement for certified fasteners during manufacturing and maintenance cycles. The extensive Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) network in the United States further stabilizes the regional market by generating steady demand for replacement parts.

Recent Developments

• In February 2025, TriMas Aerospace completed the acquisition of GMT Aerospace, a specialist in complex, tight-tolerance components for the aerospace sector. This transaction was executed to further expand the company's product portfolio and technical capabilities within the market for mission-critical engineered components. The addition of this new business unit complements the company’s existing offerings of fasteners and machined parts, facilitating greater vertical integration and a broader range of solutions for global customers. This acquisition reflects the company's ongoing strategy to grow its aerospace platform through targeted investments that enhance its competitive position in the supply chain.
• In October 2024, Click Bond announced a partnership with frontline.io to integrate extended reality (XR) technology into its aerospace assembly and maintenance solutions. This collaboration is intended to transform the way technicians interact with fastener installation processes by utilizing digital twins and immersive interactive guides. The integration of these digital tools aims to address critical industry challenges, such as the need for rapid workforce training and the assurance of precise, error-free assembly. This development represents a significant step in combining physical fastening hardware with advanced digital support systems to enhance operational efficiency and safety.
• In September 2024, LISI Aerospace entered into a strategic partnership with Equity Energies to accelerate its transition toward net-zero emissions across its manufacturing operations. This collaboration focuses on deploying bespoke energy management strategies and decarbonization solutions, particularly within the company’s United Kingdom facilities. By leveraging proprietary technology and consultancy services, the initiative aims to optimize energy consumption, improve efficiency, and reduce waste in the production of aerospace components. This move underscores the company's commitment to sustainability and its proactive approach to reducing the environmental impact of its industrial activities in the global fastener market.
• In July 2024, Howmet Aerospace Inc. announced a significant expansion of its manufacturing operations in Morristown, Tennessee, aimed at increasing its capacity to produce advanced engineered solutions, including aerospace fastening systems. The company committed to investing approximately $27.9 million in the facility to support the growing demand from the commercial and defense aerospace sectors. This strategic investment was designed to strengthen the company's domestic production footprint and create new high-quality jobs in the region. The expansion highlights the organization's focus on meeting the rising production rates of aircraft original equipment manufacturers through enhanced manufacturing capabilities.

Key Market Players

• Precision Castparts
• Howmet Aerospace
• LISI Aerospace
• B&B Specialties
• MS Aerospace
• National Aerospace Fasteners
• Stanley Black & Decker
• 3V Fastener
• Allfast
• Alcoa

By Material	By Application	By Region
Aluminum Steel Titanium Others	Commercial Aircraft Military Aircraft General Aircraft	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Aircraft Nuts Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Aircraft Nuts Market, By Material:

• Aluminum
• Steel
• Titanium
• Others

• Aircraft Nuts Market, By Application:

• Commercial Aircraft
• Military Aircraft
• General Aircraft

• Aircraft Nuts Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE