| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 137.22 Million |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 253.49 Million |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 13.06 % |
| Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
MEA Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Market Analysis
The Middle-East and Africa Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Market size is estimated at USD 137.22 million in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 253.49 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 13.06% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
The COVID-19 pandemic had a major effect on the Middle East and Africa Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Market. The onset of the pandemic led to various countries within the Middle East and Africa region closing their borders, imposing travel restrictions, and suspending flights in an effort to contain the virus. The border and travel restrictions led to a decline in the number of air traffic passengers. Moreover, the demand for purchasing new aircraft witnessed a decline and this led to an overall decline in the demand for advanced inflight entertainment systems leading to various manufacturers of inflight entertainment systems witnessing huge losses. On the other hand, with the decline in the COVID-19 pandemic, various windows of opportunities have once again opened up in the market. With various countries in the European Union lifting travel bans and restrictions, there has been an increase in the number of air passenger traffic in the European region in the few years. The increase in air passenger traffic has also propelled growth in the production of newer aircraft to accommodate air passenger traffic. This led to various countries in the Middle East and African region planning out programs in order to equip their aircraft with the latest inflight entertainment systems thus providing an opportunity for inflight entertainment system manufacturers to develop advanced systems and increase their profit margin. Thus, such developments will lead to the market witnessing significant growth during the forecast period.
The Middle East has some of the most profitable airlines in the world. The increasing demand for IFEC systems in the region is mainly due to the growing passenger traffic in the region. Many FSCs in the Middle East possess higher seat occupancy rates for first and business-class cabins, in which the passengers demand better IFEC provisions. Airlines in the region are traditionally known for their better passenger amenities compared to airlines from other regions in the world. The high level of competition among the Middle Eastern airlines is also driving investments in the market.
MEA Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Market Trends
The Connectivity Segment is Expected to Witness Significant Growth During the Forecast Period
By product type, the connectivity segment is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The demand for connectivity has witnessed significant growth during recent years which has led to various passengers prioritizing connectivity over other amenities which are provided to them in-flight. To cater to this demand, the airlines in the Middle East and African region have collaborated with various inflight connectivity providers to integrate their existing systems with LTE technology and satellite communication technology.
Moreover, the airlines in the Middle East and African region are currently focusing on providing passengers with high-speed and reliable connectivity, which is driving the demand in the market in this region. The increasing number of partnerships for better inflight connectivity is helping the growth of the segment. In the present scenario, companies such as Immarsat and Panasonic Corporation are engaged in the providing better connectivity services on board flights in the Middle East and African region. For Instance, in 2022, In-flight entertainment and communication systems company Panasonic Avionics Corporation has announced agreements with both Iraqi Airways and Saudi Arabian Airlines. For Iraqi Airways Panasonic will help in providing in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) in the new fleet of 21 narrowbodies and ten widebody aircraft. The aircraft will be line-fitted with Panasonic's X Series IFE solutions and will enter service in October 2022. Thus, such developments will propel the growth of the market in the near future.
Understand The Key Trends Shaping This Market
Download PDF
The United Arab Emirates is Expected to Witness Significant Growth During the Forecast Period
The United Arab Emirates is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. An increase in the number of fleet modernization plans and higher international passenger traffic to and from the country. The presence of globally renowned airlines, like Emirates and Etihad, which are known to invest highly in passenger amenities, is also helping the growth of the market in the country. These airlines are increasingly collaborating with various global players to provide better IFEC services to passengers. The most prominent inflight entertainment which can be experienced by a passenger onboard an aircraft in the United Arab Emirates is the inflight entertainment system which is known as ICE and is currently being used by Emirates airlines. ICE stands for Information, Communication, and Entertainment. The ICE system features various entertainment content for the passengers ranging from movies, news, music, and podcasts amongst others. By making use of the system, a passenger can check the flight status as well as get a live view of the outside conditions through the external cameras which is fitted on the aircraft. Moreover, a passenger is also able to send messages as well as attend calls while in the air. Moreover, in 2022, Emirates Airways announced that they have invested USD 350 million to equip their 50-strong fleet of Airbus A350 with the next-generation inflight entertainment solutions which are being developed by Thales in order to increase the passenger onboard experiences. Thus, such developments will lead to the marker witnessing significant growth during the forecast period.
Get Analysis on Important Geographic Markets
Download PDF
MEA Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Industry Overview
The prominent players in the Middle East and African inflight entertainment and connectivity market are Gogo Inc., Thales Group, Panasonic Corporation, Viasat, Inc., and Burrana amongst others. Moreover, various players are now focusing on obtaining technical superiority over the competitors, in terms of faster data speeds and better amenities, to gain a competitive edge which will help them gain new contracts. In addition, partnerships between players will facilitate the development of new products, thereby, attracting new customers, which may help them enhance their presence in the market.
MEA Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Market Leaders
-
Gogo Inc.
-
Thales Group
-
Panasonic Corporation
-
Viasat, Inc.
-
Burrana
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Need More Details on Market Players and Competiters?
Download PDF
MEA Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Market News
In December 2022, Emirates announced that they have partnered with MBC Group's streaming platform Shahid to offer premium content exclusively on its inflight entertainment system known as ICE or Information, Communication and Entertainment. Moreover, the partnership makes ICE the only system to offer access to Shahid Originals, aside from the streaming service's own premium subscription online platform.
In June 2022, Etihad Airways announced that they have won the Apex Passenger Choice Awards. Etihad Airways has been recognized for providing the best entertainment in the Middle Eastern region. The airline is engaged in offering over 200 movies, more than 350 TV shows, 15 radio channels, and 800 albums in a variety of genres and languages to its customers through the E-BOX entertainment offering.
In February 2022. Air Senegal, the flag carrier of Senegal which is located in West Africa announced that they have installed the Flamingo Box system onboard its fleet of A321 and A319 aircraft. Moment which is a French tech company specializing in entertainment and passenger experience solutions for the travel industry announced that they have been selected by Air Senegal to install its In-Flight Entertainment system (W-IFE), the Flamingo Box, aboard the airline's fleet.
MEA Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Industry Segmentation
Inflight entertainment (IFE) systems and inflight connectivity (IFC) services together constitute the inflight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) systems.
The Middle East and Africa Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Market has been segmented by product type, fit, class, and country. By product type, the market has been segmented by hardware, content, and connectivity. By fit, the market has been segmented by line fit and retrofit. By class, the market has been segmented into first class, business class, and economy class. By country, the market has been segmented into the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, and the Rest of Middle-East and Africa. Moreover, the report offers a market forecast and is represented by USD million. Furthermore, the report also includes various key statistics on the market status of leading market players and provides key trends and opportunities in the Middle East and Africa Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Market.
| Product Type | Hardware |
| Content | |
| Connectivity | |
| Fit | Line-fit |
| Retrofit | |
| Class | First Class |
| Business Class | |
| Economy Class | |
| Geography | United Arab Emirates |
| Saudi Arabia | |
| Qatar | |
| Turkey | |
| Egypt | |
| Rest of Middle-East and Africa |
Need A Different Region or Segment?
Customize Now
MEA Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Market Research FAQs
How big is the Middle-East and Africa Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Market?
The Middle-East and Africa Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Market size is expected to reach USD 137.22 million in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 13.06% to reach USD 253.49 million by 2030.
What is the current Middle-East and Africa Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Market size?
In 2025, the Middle-East and Africa Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Market size is expected to reach USD 137.22 million.
Who are the key players in Middle-East and Africa Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Market?
Gogo Inc., Thales Group, Panasonic Corporation, Viasat, Inc. and Burrana are the major companies operating in the Middle-East and Africa Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Market.
What years does this Middle-East and Africa Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Middle-East and Africa Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Market size was estimated at USD 119.30 million. The report covers the Middle-East and Africa Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Middle-East and Africa Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Our Best Selling Reports
MEA Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Middle-East and Africa Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Middle-East and Africa Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
