The global commercial drone market size was valued at USD 19.95 Billion in 2022 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 8.1% over the forecast period and reach USD 45.1 Billion in 2030. This dramatic rise is owed to the growing use of drones, supported by ongoing technological improvement in industries including precision agriculture, construction, logistics, and public safety. This spread has been fueled by significant developments including the incorporation of artificial intelligence, longer battery life, and the creation of more forgiving regulatory regimes. However, the industry continues to encounter difficulties, particularly concerning privacy, security, and airspace congestion.
Over the past ten years, the global market for commercial drones has grown significantly, propelled by a convergence of technology developments, new applications, and changing regulatory frameworks. The growing acceptance of drones as adaptable tools in a variety of sectors is one major element driving this expansion. Drones are employed in precision agriculture, which has become an important growth driver, for crop monitoring, production optimization, and resource management. Drones have transformed surveying, site inspection, and project monitoring in the construction industry, resulting in greater efficiency and cost savings.
The technological innovation that is still taking place is a significant factor in the market's expansion. Manufacturers of drones are constantly upgrading their designs, increasing flying time, cargo capacity, and camera quality. The drone systems are gradually incorporating machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), allowing for autonomous flying, in-flight data processing, and improved obstacle avoidance. These developments have broadened the variety of commercial drone applications and raised their appeal to other sectors.
As demand for commercial drone services has increased, the regulatory environment has changed. Drone activities are accommodated for and regulated by aviation authorities, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the U.S. region. Previously seen as difficult, autonomous flying and beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) activities are now becoming more feasible with regulatory backing. These modifications have increased market growth by fostering more trust in the safety and legality of commercial drone use.
The sector does face certain difficulties, as well. Privacy considerations, the possibility of abuse, and the requirement for extensive security measures continue to be major concerns. The performance of drones can also be impacted by weather and airspace congestion, especially in heavily populated regions. Additionally, attaining regulatory harmonization across many areas and nations is still a difficult undertaking, which may restrict the ability of certain drone firms to expand internationally.
Impact of COVID-19
In the commercial drone market, the COVID-19 outbreak has had a conflicting effect. Positively, it demonstrated the adaptability and utility of drones in life-or-death circumstances and pushed the acceptance of drone technology for remote monitoring, inspection, and medical supplies delivery. In addition, greater investment and innovation across several industries resulted from the increased awareness of drone potential. However, the pandemic also brought about difficulties, like supply chain delays, economic uncertainties that affected budgets, and regulatory barriers. Overall, the pandemic highlighted the commercial drone industry's agility and endurance, establishing it as a crucial tool in a world that is changing quickly.
Segmentation
The market for commercial drones is segmented into type, components, propulsion type, and end-use. By type, the market is classified into fixed-wing, hybrid, and rotary blades. By component, the market is segmented into hardware, software, and accessories. In terms of propulsion type, the market is segmented into gasoline, hybrid, and electric. In 2022, the electric propulsion type category held the biggest market share with a share of over 72%. The dominance of the market category is related to the acceptance of rechargeable electric drones. Due to its many benefits, including silent operation, efficient flying, extended flight periods, and simple maintenance, these drones have become quite popular. By end-use, the commercial drone industry is segmented as real estate & construction, agriculture, energy, media & entertainment, security & law enforcement, delivery & logistics, and others.
Regional Analysis
North America, which had the largest market share of 32% in 2022, is predicted to grow significantly in the upcoming years. Furthermore, in the U.S., The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released updated rules to set more logical and consistent criteria for the legal and safe use of aerial vehicles in commercial places.
The latest changes in drone legislation in multiple countries across the Asia continent are projected to assist the Asia-Pacific market's growth. Over the last six years, China has become known as a worldwide center for drone manufacturing. China dominates more than 70% of the worldwide civilian drone market. To promote the use of drones in many industrial sectors, the government in China has implemented various incentives and other favorable domestic policies. Similarly, Australia is an integral industry hub in Asia-Pacific, which is experiencing the growing importance of BVLOS testing.
Competitive Analysis
Regulatory compliance, industry-focused solutions, specialized software and data services, robust customer support & services, global distribution networks, strategic partnerships, strong brand reputation, security & privacy considerations, and environmental factors are merely some of the many areas where the commercial drone market is subject to competition. This dynamic environment highlights the variety of tactics used by businesses to acquire a competitive advantage and meet the rising needs of various sectors and applications in the commercial drone industry.
The major players in the market of commercial drone market are Aeronavics Ltd., AeroVironment Inc., Autel Robotics, DJI, Draganfly Innovations Inc., EHANG, Intel Corporation, Parrot Drones SAS, PrecisionHawk Inc., YUNEEC.
DJI currently regulates more than 70% of the worldwide drone market. Frank Wang founded this company in 2006 in a dormitory room at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
The EVO Max 4T drone, a smart and incredibly inventive flying platform that is appropriate for both corporate and consumer applications, was introduced by Autel Robotics in January 2023. Due to sophisticated autonomous flying technology and Artificial Intelligence, it has significant navigational and self-reliance skills. In December 2023, in the Italian city of Torino, an exhibition of urban goods delivered by the commercial drone operator FlyingBasket, Poste Italiane, and Leonardo took place. The demonstration is anticipated to open the door for beyond pilots' visual line of sight, or BVLOS, flights in the country's context of advanced air mobility (AAM).
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The global commercial drone market is segmented as follows:
By Type (Revenue: USD Billion, 2018 – 2030)
● Fixed-Wing
● Hybrid
● Rotary Blades
By Component (Revenue: USD Billion, 2018 – 2030)
● Hardware
● Software
● Accessories
By Propulsion Type (Revenue: USD Billion, 2018 – 2030)
● Gasoline
● Hybrid
● Electric
By End Use (Revenue: USD Billion, 2018 – 2030)
● Real Estate & Construction
● Agriculture
● Energy
● Media & Entertainment
● Security & Law Enforcement
● Delivery & Logistics
● Others
By Region (Revenue: USD Billion, 2018 – 2030)
● North America
o U.S.
o Canada
o Mexico
● Europe
o U.K.
o France
o Germany
o Italy
o Spain
o Rest of Europe
● Asia Pacific
o China
o Japan
o India
o South Korea
o South East Asia
o Rest of Asia Pacific
● Latin America
o Brazil
o Argentina
o Rest of Latin America
● Middle East & Africa
o GCC Countries
o South Africa
o Rest of Middle East & Africa
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The global market for commercial drone is expected to reach USD 45.1 Billion in 2030 growing at a CAGR of 8.1%.
The major players in the global commercial drone market are Aeronavics Ltd., AeroVironment Inc., Autel Robotics, DJI, Draganfly Innovations Inc., EHANG, Intel Corporation, Parrot Drones SAS, PrecisionHawk Inc., YUNEEC.
The global commercial drone market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% between 2023 and 2030.
The growing acceptance of drones as adaptable tools coupled with technological improvements in the industries such as precision agriculture, logistics, construction, and public safety are the major driving factor for the growth of the global commercial drone industry.
North America was the leading regional segment of the global commercial drone market in 2022.