Airport Runway Lighting Market - By Technology (LED lighting, Incandescent lighting, Halogen lighting), By Installation Type (New installation, Retrofit), By End-use (Commercial airport, Military airport, Private airport) & Forecast, 2023 – 2032

Airport Runway Lighting Market Size

Airport Runway Lighting Market was valued at over USD 450 million in 2022 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of around 8% between 2023 and 2032. Many airports, especially in emerging economies, are undergoing modernization and expansion to accommodate larger aircraft and enhance safety. For instance, in 2022, American Airlines completed the modernization & expansion of JFK International Airport with a spending of USD 400 million. These projects involve lengthening runways, upgrading taxiways, and enhancing terminal facilities. Upgrading runway lighting systems is integral to these developments, ensuring that the airport infrastructure complies with modern aviation standards.
 

Airport runway lighting refers to specialized lighting systems installed along airport runways. These lights help pilots navigate during takeoff, landing, and taxiing, especially in low visibility conditions. They follow international standards and include various types of lights such as runway edge lights, threshold lights, and centerline lights, ensuring safe aircraft movements and operational efficiency at airports.
 

Implementing advanced runway lighting systems, particularly those incorporating modern technologies, such as LED and smart automation, requires a substantial upfront investment. For many airports, especially smaller or regional ones, securing the necessary funds for these upgrades can be challenging. Limited budgets can delay or deter the implementation of modern lighting technologies.
 

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic had notable impacts on the airport runway lighting market. The pandemic disrupted global supply chains, affecting the availability of components and materials necessary for runway lighting systems. Delays in the delivery of lighting equipment and related materials impacted construction timelines & project completions. Airports faced severe financial challenges due to reduced revenue from passenger fees, parking, and other sources. Many planned airport expansion and modernization projects were deemed non-essential owing to which they were delayed or put on hold due to the financial strain caused by reduced air travel. This delay affected the demand for new runway lighting systems, especially in larger airports that were planning significant upgrades, further affecting market growth.
 

Airport Runway Lighting Market Trends

Augmented Reality (AR) applications are being increasingly developed for maintenance purposes. These applications facilitate maintenance activities by providing technicians with real-time visualizations and diagnostics. Technicians can identify issues promptly and efficiently, minimizing downtime. Remote monitoring solutions allow airports to monitor lighting systems in real time, enabling immediate response to faults or failures. These technologies enhance responsiveness, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure consistent lighting performance.
 

The use of sustainable and eco-friendly materials in the manufacturing of lighting fixtures is a rising trend. Sustainable materials have gained prominence in runway lighting fixtures. Manufacturers are exploring eco-friendly materials that minimize the environmental impact. From recyclable components to energy-efficient production processes, the industry emphasizes sustainable practices. Airports and manufacturers are collaborating to identify and implement environmentally conscious materials, thus complementing global sustainability initiatives.
 

Airport Runway Lighting Market Analysis

Based on installation type, the market is segmented into new installation and retrofit. The new installation segment dominated the global market with a share of over 55% in 2022.
 

• Growing air traffic demands the expansion of existing airports and the construction of new airports. With new runways being built or existing runways being extended, there is a need for the installation of comprehensive lighting systems to ensure safe aircraft movement during takeoffs, landings, and taxiing.
   
• Ongoing advancements in lighting technology, such as LED systems, smart lighting controls, and energy-efficient fixtures, drive the demand for new installations. Airports are inclined to invest in the latest technologies to enhance safety, reduce operational costs, and minimize their environmental impact.
   

Based on technology, the market is divided into LED lighting, halogen lighting, and incandescent lighting. The LED segment is anticipated to register a CAGR of over 8% through 2032.

• LED lights are highly energy-efficient, consuming up to 50% - 80% less power compared to traditional lighting sources such as incandescent and fluorescent lights. This energy efficiency translates to substantial cost savings for airports, making LEDs an attractive choice for runway lighting.
   
• LEDs have an exceptionally long operational life, often lasting up to 50,000 to 100,000 hours or more. This longevity reduces the frequency of replacements and maintenance, lowering operational costs for airports and ensuring consistent lighting performance over an extended period.
   
• LEDs light up instantly without warm-up time, providing immediate illumination when activated. This feature is particularly important for runway lighting, where quick response times are essential for ensuring the safety of aircraft movements.
   

Asia Pacific airport runway lighting market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 10% through 2032. The Asia-Pacific region is witnessing a significant increase in domestic and international air travel. This growth is driven by factors such as rising incomes, tourism, and business activities. As air traffic increases, airports need to expand their infrastructure, including runway lighting, to accommodate more flights. Governments in the Asia-Pacific region are investing heavily in infrastructure development, including airports. These investments are aimed at enhancing transportation connectivity and supporting economic growth. Upgrading runway lighting systems is an integral part of these projects.
 

Airport Runway Lighting Market Share

Players operating in the globalmarket focus on implementing different growth strategies to strengthen their offerings and expand their market reach. These strategies involve new product developments & launches, partnerships & collaborations, mergers & acquisitions, and customer retention. Market players also heavily invest in R&D to introduce innovative and technologically advanced solutions in the airport runway lighting industry. Major players operating in the airport runway lighting industry are:

• ADB Safegate
• Honeywell International Inc.
• Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
• OSRAM Licht AG 
• ABB Ltd.
• Eaton Corporation PLC

Airport Runway Lighting Industry News

• In January 2023, ADB Safegate launched LED Smart Runway Centerline Lighting system (SRCL). The SRCL system is designed to improve the safety and efficiency of runway operations by providing pilots with a more precise visual reference for centerline of the runway.
   

The airport runway lighting market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Million) from 2018 to 2032 for the following segments:

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Market, By Technology

• LED lighting
• Incandescent lighting
• Halogen lighting

Market, By Installation Type

• New installation
• Retrofit

Market, By End Use

• Commercial airport
• Military airport
• Private airport

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • ANZ
  • Rest of Asia Pacific 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America 
• MEA
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Rest of MEA