The global aerospace and defence (A&D) industry is expected to return to growth with total sector revenues estimated to grow at 2.0 percent in 2017, according to Deloitte Global’s Consumer & Industrial Products Industry group’s 2017 Global aerospace and defense sector outlook.

“After multi-year declines in revenues, the defence sub-sector is expected to grow at 3.2 percent in 2017. This increase is due to continued concerns about global security threats, growth in US defense budgets, as well as higher defence spending in the Middle East, Japan, South Korea and India,” said Tom Captain, Deloitte Global Aerospace and Defence Leader.

On the other hand, stable global gross domestic product (GDP), expected strong airline passenger traffic, and continued airline profitability, supported by lower fuel costs, will likely drive increased commercial aircraft production. However, despite an expected increase of 96 additional large commercial aircraft being produced in 2017, continued pricing pressure and product mix changes by airline operators will likely result in only a marginal increase of 0.3 percent in commercial aerospace sub-sector revenues, it said.

“For the commercial aerospace sub-sector, the Middle East remains an important market by virtue of its strategic location as a hub linking the major global airline networks. This has resulted in strong travel demand from the region. The Middle East region led travel demand growth globally during the last five years and is expected to continue to record the highest RPK (Revenues Passenger Kilometers) growth in 2016 as well,” explains Rashid Bashir, partner and Public Sector leader at Deloitte, Middle East.

The 2017 Global aerospace and defense sector outlook reviews the sector’s performance in 2016 and expectations for 2017. It outlines a long term projection for aircraft production, as well as defense spending by major countries. It also provides perspectives on defense contractor expectations, growth in travel demand driven by wealth creation in Asia and the Middle East, and observations on what it means for the commercial aerospace sub-sector. – TradeArabia News Service