Research Report
Unsettled Topics on the Use of IVHM in the Active Control Loop
2020-07-01
EPR2020011
The growth in global economies has led to a world that has become much more mobile in the last few decades. The number of enplanements has increased and is expected to continue to do so at an annual average rate of 1.8% through 2039 [1]. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of aircraft in service was expected to increase annually to meet the travel demand. Next-generation, more-complex aircraft were scheduled to replace the older aircraft at a pace that still allowed sufficient capacity to meet the increasing demand. The events of 2020 have driven the industry to accelerate retirement of older aircraft while deferring the introduction of new aircraft. While the length of the industry recovery period cannot be predicted, most analysts believe that demand for travel will return once a vaccine is widely available.