Commercial Aircraft Actuation System Market –Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Motion (Linear, Rotary), By Actuator Type (Hydraulic, Pneumatic, Electromechanical, and Others), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 388.45 Million
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.76%
Fastest Growing Segment	Linear
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 513.46 Million

Market Overview

The Global Commercial Aircraft Actuation System Market will grow from USD 388.45 Million in 2025 to USD 513.46 Million by 2031 at a 4.76% CAGR. The Global Commercial Aircraft Actuation System Market entails the engineering and manufacturing of critical mechanisms that control flight surfaces, landing gear, and cargo doors by converting energy into mechanical motion. The primary driver supporting market growth is the robust resurgence of global air travel, which compels airlines to expand capacity and modernize fleets with fuel-efficient aircraft. This fundamental demand for new inventory directly correlates with increased procurement of actuation components. According to the International Air Transport Association, in 2024, total full-year traffic measured in revenue passenger kilometers increased by 10.4 percent compared to the previous year, underscoring the urgent operational need for accelerated aircraft production.

Despite this strong demand, the market faces a significant challenge due to persistent supply chain volatilities affecting the broader aerospace sector. Shortages of raw materials and delayed delivery of sub-components have forced major original equipment manufacturers to revise production targets downward, creating severe bottlenecks for actuation system providers. This inability to align manufacturing output with the surging order backlogs delays revenue realization and strains operational efficiency, potentially impeding the overall expansion of the market in the immediate future.

Key Market Drivers

The surge in global commercial aircraft deliveries acts as a primary catalyst for the actuation system market, driven by aggressive fleet modernization strategies. As carriers retire older airframes to optimize costs, original equipment manufacturers are ramping up production, creating a substantial requirement for flight control and landing gear actuation mechanisms. This volume-centric demand is evidenced by recent manufacturing outputs. According to Airbus, October 2024, in the 'Orders and Deliveries - September 2024' update, the company delivered 497 commercial aircraft to 77 customers within the first nine months of the year, underscoring the critical need for continuous component supply to meet handover schedules.

Simultaneously, the transition toward More Electric Aircraft architectures and the imperative for fuel efficiency are reshaping the technological landscape. Manufacturers are integrating electro-hydrostatic and electro-mechanical actuators to reduce weight and optimize fuel burn, replacing heavier hydraulic loops. This shift supports the industry goal of sustainability through fleet renewal. According to The Boeing Company, July 2024, in the 'Commercial Market Outlook 2024-2043', 47 percent of projected new airplane deliveries over the next two decades will serve to replace older jets with more fuel-efficient models. Reflecting this sustained demand, major suppliers are securing robust order books; according to RTX Corporation, October 2024, in the 'Third Quarter 2024 Results', the company reported a record backlog of $221 billion.

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Key Market Challenges

The persistent volatility within the aerospace supply chain stands as the primary impediment to the growth of the Global Commercial Aircraft Actuation System Market. Although airlines are eager to modernize fleets, the market for actuation systems is inextricably linked to the finalized production rates of major original equipment manufacturers. When raw material shortages and sub-component delays force aircraft manufacturers to revise their assembly schedules downward, the immediate uptake of actuation units—which are essential for operating flight surfaces and landing gear—is forcibly deferred. This misalignment creates a challenging paradox where manufacturers face record order backlogs, yet actual revenue realization is stalled because actuation systems cannot be integrated into airframes that remain unfinished due to missing parts.

The magnitude of this production bottleneck is evident in recent industrial data. According to the International Air Transport Association, in 2024, the global aviation industry managed the delivery of only 1,254 commercial aircraft, a figure that fell approximately 30 percent short of initial projections. This substantial deficit in completed aircraft deliveries directly restricts the volume of actuation systems being successfully deployed and monetized, effectively capping the market’s financial expansion despite the aggressive demand from airline operators.

Key Market Trends

The integration of smart sensors for predictive maintenance is fundamentally altering the lifecycle management of commercial aircraft actuation systems. Manufacturers are increasingly embedding advanced sensing technologies directly into electro-mechanical and hydraulic actuators to continuously monitor critical parameters such as vibration, pressure, and temperature. This digital connectivity allows airlines to transition from fixed-interval maintenance schedules to condition-based strategies, significantly minimizing unexpected component failures and reducing costly aircraft-on-ground events. The long-term financial operational value of this technological shift is substantial; according to Airbus, October 2024, in the 'Keeping the fleet flying' update, the industry-wide adoption of digital predictive maintenance models is projected to generate approximately $4 billion in annual savings for commercial operators by 2043.

Simultaneously, the utilization of additive manufacturing is revolutionizing actuator design by enabling the production of complex, lightweight components that optimize weight and reliability. This fabrication method allows engineering teams to consolidate multi-part assemblies into monolithic structures, effectively reducing material waste and streamlining the supply chain by lowering total part counts. This capability is particularly vital for flight control mechanisms where mass reduction directly translates to improved fuel efficiency. Validating this industrial advancement, according to Liebherr-Aerospace, June 2024, in the 'Liebherr-Aerospace advances additive manufacturing for Airbus A350' press release, the company successfully replaced a conventional seven-part assembly with a single 3D-printed titanium flex shaft for the aircraft's high-lift actuation system, securing full certification for serial production.

Segmental Insights

The Linear segment is projected to register the fastest growth within the Global Commercial Aircraft Actuation System Market due to the accelerating adoption of electromechanical technologies. This expansion is primarily driven by the aviation industry's focus on weight reduction and fuel efficiency, as linear electromechanical actuators replace heavier hydraulic loops for primary flight controls. Manufacturers favor these systems for their improved reliability and reduced maintenance requirements in modern fleets. Furthermore, compliance with stringent environmental standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization encourages the integration of these lighter actuation solutions to minimize overall aircraft emissions.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a dominant position in the global commercial aircraft actuation system market, driven by the presence of major original equipment manufacturers and key system suppliers in the United States. This region benefits from a well-established aerospace infrastructure that supports high production rates and efficient supply chains. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration enforces rigorous safety mandates, necessitating consistent upgrades and maintenance of flight control mechanisms. The continuous focus on fleet modernization and a strong demand for aftermarket services further solidify North America’s leadership in this sector.

Recent Developments

• In July 2025, Safran S.A. completed the acquisition of the actuation and flight control business of Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX. This transaction, valued at approximately $1.8 billion, positioned the French aerospace group as a global leader in critical flight control functions. The acquired business brings a portfolio of mechanical and hydraulic actuators used on a wide range of commercial and military aircraft. Executives noted that this strategic consolidation would generate significant synergies and enhance the company’s ability to develop integrated, high-technology actuation systems required for the next generation of more electric and efficient commercial aircraft.
• In June 2025, Curtiss-Wright Corporation announced a strategic collaboration with Airbus UpNext to support the eXtra Performance WING demonstrator project. The company agreed to supply its compact, high-precision nano motion controller technology, which will function in coordination with a custom electro-mechanical actuation system on the demonstrator aircraft. This initiative focuses on active wing control technologies designed to improve aerodynamic performance and reduce fuel consumption for future commercial platforms. The selection validates the company’s expertise in decentralized flight control solutions and aligns with the aviation industry's push towards decarbonization and advanced electromechanical architectures.
• In July 2024, Moog Inc. finalized a significant long-term agreement with Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines to support their Boeing 787 fleet. Under this exclusive eight-year contract, the company committed to providing comprehensive maintenance and pooling services for the aircraft's primary and high-lift flight control actuation systems. The arrangement leverages the company’s global stocking locations, including facilities in London and Amsterdam, to ensure rapid component availability. This collaboration highlights the company's critical role as the original equipment manufacturer for the 787’s flight controls and strengthens its aftermarket presence in the commercial aviation sector.
• In July 2024, Woodward, Inc. was selected by Boeing to design and develop advanced rotary actuation solutions for the X-66A Sustainable Flight Demonstrator aircraft. This project, part of NASA’s Sustainable Flight Demonstrator program, aims to test the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing concept, which utilizes long, thin wings to significantly enhance aerodynamic efficiency. The company’s rotary actuators will be integrated into the aircraft's ailerons, contributing to the industry's broader goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This partnership underscores the company’s strategic focus on delivering innovative energy control technologies for next-generation commercial aircraft architectures.

Key Market Players

• Moog Inc.
• Parker Hannifin Corp
• Curtiss-Wright Corporation
• RTX Corporation
• The Boeing Company
• Marotta Controls, Inc.
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Eaton Corporation plc
• Woodward Inc.
• Liebherr-International Deutschland GmbH

By Motion	By Actuator Type	By Region
Linear Rotary	Hydraulic Pneumatic Electromechanical Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Commercial Aircraft Actuation System Market, By Motion:

• Linear
• Rotary

• Commercial Aircraft Actuation System Market, By Actuator Type:

• Hydraulic
• Pneumatic
• Electromechanical
• Others

• Commercial Aircraft Actuation System 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