Global Aircraft Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Market Assessment, By Aircraft Type [Commercial Aviation, Military Aviation, Business and General Aviation], By Installation Type [Fixed-wing APUs, Rotary-wing APUs, Auxiliary Power Systems], By Fuel Type [Jet Fu

Global aircraft auxiliary power unit (APU) market is projected to witness a CAGR of 4.04% during the forecast period 2025-2032, growing from USD 3.02 billion in 2024 to USD 4.15 billion in 2032. The global aircraft auxiliary power unit (APU) market is encountering competing pressures that will affect the directional potential of industry. Increases in air passenger traffic and rises in the procurement of military aircraft have generated demand for reliable onboard power solutions. At the same time, there are considerable headwinds facing the APU market, including pressures from environmental regulations that seek to lower emissions from aircraft systems, the high costs to R&D and manufacture advanced APU systems, and the rise of more electric aircraft architecture that will diminish aircraft owners’ dependency on traditional APUs.

The industry is addressing these challenges with the innovation of efficient fuel-powered APU systems, while investigating compatibility with sustainable aviation fuel. Fleet modernization programs and retrofitting options for older aircraft will also provide an opportunity. However, it remains to be seen if alternative power solutions, specifically in the commercial and military aviation industry, will gain traction, shaping the future potential growth of the APU market. As such, APU manufacturers and other suppliers will need to adapt and navigate these complex pressures and evolve within this challenging landscape.

For instance, in June 2025, Honeywell International Inc. announced that Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has selected Honeywell's proven 36-150 auxiliary power unit (APU) and Honeywell Attune for the U.S. Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA).

Expanding Role of Aircraft APUs in Modern Aviation Drives the Global Market Growth

An Aircraft Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) was once relegated to the basic function of providing pneumatic and electrical power to aircraft while on the ground, but the role and capabilities of APUs have changed dramatically. Today’s APUs sustain several operational workloads, which consist of powering avionics while performing pre-flight checks, powering systems to provide comfort while in the cabin, and finally modifying the operational need for ground power units (GPUs). In many cases, APUs within modern aircraft enabled hybrid-electric propulsion systems and provided emergency backup power, capabilities that were designed to enhance operational efficiency and safety. APUs also provided opportunities for reduced engine wear by eliminating ground idle times and improving ETOPS operations that are enhanced by redundancy. Overall, APUs are now designed with environmental responsibility in mind, as aviation strives for lower aircraft emissions and lower fuel consumption, making them a growing component of the professional aviation workload.

For instance, in March 2025, RTX Corporation entered into three agreements with JetZero, the developer of a novel blended wing body aircraft, to provide key systems for the airframer's full-scale demonstrator. Pratt & Whitney integrates the PW2040 engine and auxiliary power unit (APU); and Collins Aerospace provides the nacelle and propulsion mounting structure.

Strategic Industry Collaborations Fuel Market Expansion

The aircraft APU industry is undergoing considerable change due to cross-sector collaborations in which manufacturers work with technology companies and energy producers to help solve significant challenges. Aerospace businesses are working with electric propulsion companies to develop hybrid APU solutions and are leveraging partnerships with fuel producers to operate carbon-neutral. Joint ventures facilitate the R&D process of lightweight and highly efficient units capable of achieving challenging emissions thresholds. Collaboration enables investments to be allocated together to the next evolution of APU technology because manufacturers can work collectively on hydrogen-compatible APUs, for example, which will need integrated power systems and consideration for growing battery needs. At the same time, maintenance providers and carriers are forming data-sharing consortia to maximize APU lifecycle and support data alignment to develop leading improvements on fleet management. These burgeoning collaboration approaches are essential, as managing the demand for performance in terms of sustainability is vitally important. Cooperative approaches also create new revenue streams, as well as ensuring the future sustainability of aviation. This is being witnessed across the APU ecosystem and contributes to reshaping competitive dynamics around the commercial and military aviation segments.

For instance, in April 2025, Tata Group-owned Air India signed a long-term agreement with Honeywell International Inc. The agreement provides comprehensive maintenance support for Honeywell APUs, ensuring high aircraft dispatch reliability and fleet availability, and lower unplanned maintenance costs across Air India’s new fleet.

Commercial Aviation Dominates the Largest Aircraft Auxiliary Power Unit Market Share

Commercial aviation is becoming a key growth driver for the Aircraft Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) market, with rising demand for air travel, growing fleets and the need for operational efficiency. Today's APUs increase aircraft autonomy by decreasing ground power dependency, decreasing turnaround times, and increasing fuel efficiency per flight. This sets the stage for APU upgrade adoption as operational efficiencies enable cost-saving initiatives. Airlines are driven to find cost savings and more sustainable operations and as targets of lower emissions and less noise compliance, next-generation APUs are being focused on. The increase in ultra-long-haul and long-haul flight activity now also requires power redundancy available in-flight, which is driving APU requirements. APUs are evolving into more significant parts of the aviation architecture as aviation continues to move towards more electric systems and hybrid systems, and their contribution to additional growth and innovation in commercial aviation will be fundamental.

For instance, in August 2024, Air Arabia Group selected Honeywell International Inc. to supply its 131-9A auxiliary power units (APUs) for the airline's existing order of 120 A320neo-family aircraft. The agreement between Honeywell and Air Arabia includes comprehensive maintenance support for the APUs, ensuring improved dispatch reliability, increased fleet availability, enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced unplanned maintenance costs across the carrier's fleet.

North America Dominates Aircraft Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Market Size

North America stands out as the dominant region in the aircraft auxiliary power unit (APU) market globally. This can be attributed to a robust aviation industry, aircraft fleet renewal rates that outpaced demand, advanced aerospace support and infrastructure. Regulations in North America require strict compliance in relation to fuel efficiency and emissions to help provide benefits that require strong demand in the APU systems' overall design and production. High volumes of air traffic and commercial operational traffic, along with significant military aviation traffic, contribute to sustained operation and uses for APUs in North America. With technological advancements and new operational requirements, North America will continue to capture most of the APU market.

For instance, in December 2024, Safran Power Units (Safron Group) announced to expand the international support network for its auxiliary power unit (APU) installed on the Dassault Falcon 6X, appointing ExecuJet MRO Services’ facilities in Australia, Malaysia, and Dubai as authorized service centers (ASCs) for the SPU150 equipment.

Impact of U.S. Tariffs on Global Aircraft Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Global Market

• Higher Levels of Production Cost - Tariffs on incoming aerospace components mean that APU manufacturers have greater costs when producing products, which transfer to airlines and OEMs as costs.
• Supply Chain Disruption – Restrictions on foreign-sourced parts (specifically titanium and electronics) will delay APU manufacture, delaying aircraft deliveries and MRO services.
• Shift in Sourcing Strategies - Manufacturers may move supply chains to tariff-free countries or seek domestic suppliers, which adds another level of complexity to their operations.
• Competitive Disadvantage - U.S. based APU manufacturers may lose considerable market share if foreign manufacturers (Europe or Asia) can supply cheaper products that are not affected by tariffs.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

The global aircraft auxiliary power unit (APU) market is competitive, with leading players striving to provide innovative, fuel-efficient, and lightweight designs to meet the constant needs of aviation. Most major manufacturers in the industry are developing the next generation of APUs that are more reliable and can provide minimal emissions and hybrid-electric capabilities that will support global sustainability and the negative impact of increasing restrictions when it comes to airline operations. The outlook is favorable for continued demand for APUs, driven by an increase in commercial aircraft deliveries, military modernization programs and increased demand for fuel-efficient auxiliary power solutions. The continued evolution of APUs will continue to be driven by emerging technologies (empty) such as more electric aircraft (MEA) architectures. The aviation sector demonstrates a commitment towards operational efficiency and environmental compliance and players can anticipate stability in unit growth through fleet increases and aftermarket support.

For instance, in December 2024, Qatar Airways secured a ground-breaking agreement with Honeywell International Inc., becoming the first MRO provider in the Middle East and Africa authorized to service the HGT1700 auxiliary power unit (APU) used in Airbus A350 aircraft. This milestone represents a significant step forward for Qatar Airways in the aviation maintenance sector.