Since the pandemic, the aviation industry hasn’t been the same. In 2020, the industry totaled $328 billion in revenue, which is only 20 percent of 2019. This is equivalent to the amount of revenue generated in 2000.
While some say the aviation industry will never return to what it was in 2019, there is one thing we do know for sure – there are now long-term realities coming out of COVID-19. For example, business travel may still take a back seat to leisure travel, as remote work and other flexible working arrangements are likely here to stay. Therefore, the aviation industry may be relying on this type of travel to regain its lost revenue.
However, there are parts of the industry that are not reliant on passenger travel, such as private jet transport. It’s a better option in terms of security and flexibility for business travel. Also, online shopping has helped the cargo-carrying market, as a large percentage of these goods are delivered by air.
Stronger distributor and manufacturer relationships
Regardless of today’s health climate and global economy, a hydraulic system is the most critical area of operation for an aircraft to perform its best. So, now more than ever, this is the time for distributors and manufactures to work together on new product developments.
There is a need for technological upgrades from conventional to advanced hydraulic systems. Due to new advancements in hydraulic components and systems, aircraft can operate more efficiently. Therefore, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) plays a significant role for providing controls and real-time monitoring capabilities.
IIoT can improving the following areas:
- Downtime
- Production loss
- Safety concerns
- Environmental spills
- Equipment damage
- Costs of repairs and replacement
Hydraulic system growth drivers for the coming years
While the aviation market will continue to face many changes, there is an expectation for growth of 5.2 percent. According to a report by Stratview Research, there will be a demand for extremely unswerving system, low-cooling cost due to low amount of heat generation, higher power-to-weight ratio of hydraulic systems and an array of load handling capacity.
The pumps segment is estimated to see the highest growth, as they are vital components of a hydraulic system. This is attributed to the increased use of pumps, due to their ability to reduce aircraft weight.
Safety measures will not be overlooked, even from an equipment standpoint
While growth is on the horizon, the pandemic put many aircraft out of commission. But even parked aircraft must follow the strict guidelines of the aviation industry, including required maintenance and visual inspection. This means that hydraulic leakage checks are still important.
O-rings are particularly important to hydraulic systems, as they seal connections. Commercial aircraft is expected to remain the largest and fastest-growing segment, based on aircraft type. Therefore, leaks caused by O-ring failure can be catastrophic.
80 to 90 percent of all hydraulic equipment failures are caused by air and water contamination, or excessive heat. Faulty pumps, temperature issues and system breaches (loss of fluid pressure often caused by leaks or burst hydraulic hose) can each be a root cause of contamination.
In conclusion, the changes within the aviation industry will make a lasting impact. The recovery is dependent upon strong distributor and manufacturer relationships, along with regular equipment maintenance. The aviation industry has started to rebound, but there’s still a lot to learn as we head into the coming years.
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