Flight simulator market is anticipated to grow at a considerable CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period (2023-2030). A flight simulator is a virtual reality system that mimics the environment of a flying aircraft. It can be used for pilot training, design, and other purposes. The growth aviating industry is anticipated to create the demand for the flight stimulator market. The global aviation industry has seen significant growth owing to factors such as a significant rise in vaccine accessibility, and the relaxation of travel restrictions. According to the 2023 Global Outlook for Air Transport, the demand for air travel is expected to double by 2040, growing at an annual average rate of3.4%. The anticipated recovery in total airline revenue is projected to reach approximately 93% of the 2019 level, accompanied by operating profits reaching $22.4 billion. The growth in the aviation sector resulted in a surge in demand for pilots, restored many of the jobsaffected by the pandemic, and created openings for new pilots.

Segmental Outlook 

The global flight simulator market is segmented by simulator type and application. By simulation type, the market is sub-segmented into Full Flight Simulator (FFS),and Flight Training Devices (FDS). By application, the market is sub-segmented into civil and military applications. The civil aviation industry is expected to contribute most tothe global flight simulator market. As per the 2022 Pilot and Technician outlook by Boeing, overthe next 20 years, 602,000 new pilotswill be needed to meet demand from commercial operators. The growing demand for pilots will also be expected to contribute tothe growth of the flight simulator industry in the civil aviation sector. Additionally, flight simulators are a safe and cost-effective environment for pilot training. To consider these benefits, airline companies are also partnering with flight simulator providers. For instance, in July 2023, Riyadh Air partnered with Prince Sultan University to build a flight simulation center.

The Demand for Full-Flight Simulator Is Expected to Grow Significantly in the Global Flight Simulator Industry

The demand for full-flight simulators is projected to grow in the aviation industry. Ongoing technological advancements in flight simulation highlight the importance of realistic and immersive pilot training experiences which is contributing to the growth of the market. Full-flight simulators, known for their safety and cost-effectiveness, enable pilots to practice diverse scenarios, including emergencies and challenging weather conditions. The global expansion of air travel, along with the growth of airline fleets and the introduction of new aircraft models, contributes to the heightened demand for comprehensive simulator training. Additionally, a growing collaboration between technology companies and the aviation industry, and new product launches are also driving growth for the overall flight simulator industry. For instance, in June 2023, China Southern Airlines and Tencent jointly unveiled China's inaugural self-developed full flight simulator (FFS) visual system. According to the company, this system is primarily made for training civil pilots and includes a simulated cockpit, motion system, visual system, computing system, and instructor flight controls. The visual system, essential for replicating flight scenes in the FFS, can recreate a 2,000-square-kilometer city in half a day and build an airport in three days leading to over a 10-fold boost in digital asset production efficiency and a more than 100-fold improvement in polygon generation and rendering capabilities which signifies growing technological advancements in full-flight simulators. 

Regional Outlook

The global flight simulator market is further segmented based on geography including North America (the US, and Canada), Europe (UK, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and the Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (India, China, Japan, South Korea, and Rest of Asia), and the Rest of the World (the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America). Among regions, North America holds a significant share of the global flight simulator market. The significant presence of aviation industry and the growing demand for pilots is a key factor driving the regional market growth. According to the 2022 Pilot and Technician outlook by Boeing, overthe next 20 years, 128 thousand new pilots will be needed in the region to meet demand from commercial operators. 

As per the data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 4.0% from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 16,800 openings for airline and commercial pilots are projected each year, on average, over the decade. With growing demand from both the commercial and defense sectors, many market players are entering into the North American region which is further expected to drive the overall flight simulator market. For instance, in July 2023, Loft Dynamics announced its expansion into Canada, by partnering with Blackcomb Helicopters LP to provide the Loft Dynamics’ VR Airbus H125 training device.

Global Flight Simulator Market Growth by Region 2023-2030

The Flight simulator Market is Expected to Grow Significantly in the Asia-Pacific Region

Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing market for the flight simulator industry owing to the growth of the regional aviation industry and passenger traffic forcing airline companies to increase their airline fleet and recruit more pilots. According to the data from IATA and the 2022 Pilot and Technician Outlook by Boeing, in 2023, the Asia Pacific region is expected to account for 24% of global aircraft deliveries. In between 2022 to 2041, the 126 thousand pilots will be needed in China alone, with 118 thousand pilots will be needed in the rest of the countries in the region which is the highest globally.With the rapidly growing demand for flight simulators, the market players are focusing on business expansion in this region. For instance, in June 2023, Airbus announced to launch drone pilot training course in Bengaluru. Also in March 2023, China unveiled its self-developed high-level flight simulator platform in Beijingto provide pilot training support for aircraft models such as the C919.

Market Players Outlook

The major companies serving the global flight simulator market are Honeywell International Inc., FlightSafety International Inc., Frasca International, Inc., ALSIM EMEA, and Airbus SE among others. The market players are considerably contributing to the market growth by the adoption of various strategies, including mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, collaborations, funding, and new product launches, to stay competitive in the market.

The Report Covers

• Market value data analysis of 2022 and forecast to 2030.
• Annualized market revenues ($ million) for each market segment.
• Country-wise analysis of major geographical regions.
• Key companies operating in the flight simulatormarket. Based on the availability of data, information related to new product launches, and relevant news is also available in the report.
• Analysis of business strategies by identifying the key market segments positioned for strong growth in the future.
• Analysis of market-entry and market expansion strategies.
• Competitive strategies by identifying ‘who-stands-where’ in the market.