Aviation Support Services

The 4,395 aviation support services in the US provide airport operation, repair, maintenance, storage and ferrying services. Primary services offered include maintenance and repair; fixed base operators (FBO) services; airport administration and operation service; and handling services for goods (cargo, baggage). Other services include air traffic control, runway services (cleaning, snow removal), de-icing, and parts inventory management services.

Regulated Environment

The US aviation industry is heavily regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which sets the standards for repair and operation of all aircraft and parts.

Advances in Technology

Advances in technology have fundamentally changed the need for maintenance, repair and overhaul services.

Nov 10, 2026 - Airline Delay Rule Change Could Leave Travelers Paying More

• New federal rules could leave airline passengers footing more of the bill when flights are delayed or canceled. Effective October 19, 2026, the US Department of Transportation reclassified 10 types of flight disruptions as outside an airline’s control, including certain mechanical problems, cybersecurity attacks, and medical emergencies. The change could allow carriers to avoid providing meals, hotel accommodations, and ground transportation that they previously promised for qualifying delays. All nine major US airlines commit to providing meals for controllable disruptions lasting at least three hours, while eight also offer hotel accommodations for overnight delays. Airlines can still provide these services voluntarily, but the new classifications give them more flexibility to deny assistance. The changes come as flight disruptions remain a widespread headache for travelers. A March 2026 Ipsos poll found that half of Americans who had flown earlier in the year experienced airline-related delays.
• Southwest Airlines’ move into airport lounges is another sign that premium travel is becoming a bigger part of the aviation services market, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The carrier is building its first lounges in Austin, Baltimore, Nashville, and Honolulu, with the first scheduled to open in late 2027 and at least 11 locations eventually planned. The initial spaces will range from 13,000 to about 30,000 square feet, making them substantial new investments in airport infrastructure and services. Southwest is joining an industrywide lounge-building push as airlines and credit card companies look to deepen customer loyalty and capture more revenue from travelers willing to pay for a better airport experience. That expansion should generate more business for aviation service providers as carriers compete to offer larger, more elaborate spaces without the overcrowding that has plagued some existing lounges.
• AI is becoming a core tool for airport management as operators look to handle growing passenger volumes without major infrastructure expansions. Airports are increasingly using AI to predict passenger traffic, optimize gate assignments, improve baggage handling, and identify equipment problems before they cause disruptions. AI-powered digital twins - virtual models of airport operations - allow airport managers to test how weather, flight delays, or security bottlenecks will affect the terminal before making operational changes. Computer vision is also being deployed to monitor security lines, detect safety hazards, and identify congestion in real time. According to aviation technology provider SITA, AI and predictive analytics are among airports' fastest-growing IT investment priorities as the industry seeks to improve operational efficiency, lower costs, and enhance the passenger experience without significantly expanding physical capacity.
• Airlines in the US sharply increased baggage fees in 2026 as carriers try to offset fuel and operating costs, with major airlines like Delta, United, JetBlue, and Southwest all raising checked bag prices and relying more heavily on ancillary revenue streams. The changes are frustrating travelers who now face higher overall trip costs, more complicated fare structures, and added stress over what used to be standard services, especially after Southwest ended its long-standing free checked bag policy. The growing dependence on fees has also intensified pressure on airline customer service teams, which are dealing with more passenger complaints, disputes at check-in counters, confusion over carry-on policies, and dissatisfaction with perceived “hidden” charges. As airlines continue to separate basic airfare from services like baggage, seat selection, and boarding priority, many travelers feel aviation customer service has become more transactional and less customer-focused, contributing to lower satisfaction and greater tension while traveling.

Industry size & Structure

The average US aviation support services provider employs about 60 workers and generates $10.5 million annually.

• The US aviation support services industry consists of about 4,395 firms that employ 270,200 workers and generate over $46.2 billion annually.
• The industry is moderately concentrated at the top and fragmented at the bottom; the top 50 companies account for about half of all industry revenue.
• Large MRO firms include AAR and Aviation Technical Services (ATS). Foreign firms, such as HAECO, offer aviation support services through domestic subsidiaries and joint ventures.
• The top 100 US aviation markets typically contract with a chain fixed base operator (FBO), such as Signature Flight Support and Atlantic Aviation.