There are plenty of ways to measure the size of aircraft manufacturers. Total revenue. Number of employees. How many planes they build.
But if you want to know the true actual value of an aircraft company (or of any company, for that matter), it’s by looking at the total value of its outstanding shares of stock. It’s also known as its market capitalization (a.k.a. market cap). (Outstanding shares means, “the number of shares of common stock a company has issued to investors and company executives. The number is used to calculate many common financial metrics, such as earnings per share (EPS) and (here’s that term again) market capitalization.” [as per Motley Fool])
CompaniesMarketCap.com ranks the world’s top companies by market cap, market value, revenue and other metrics. They’ve ranked the 17 largest plane manufacturers, based on market cap (obviously, they can only rank public companies, since it’s virtually impossible to calculate their market value and know their financial information).
Here are the current 10 largest plane manufacturers, according to CompaniesMarketCap.com:
1. Boeing
Boeing was founded in the United States in 1916. They and Airbus tend to “trade places” in terms of which one has a larger market cap. However as of this writing, Boeing is #1 in terms of market cap (£110.60 B. That’s about $146.98 B USD). However it should be noted that in 2024 alone, Boeing’s earnings decreased by $12.21 B.
Of course, things used to be better. Back in 2019, before the pandemic and what seems to be never-ending problems, its market cap was $248 billion.
2. Airbus
Founded in 1970 and based in the Netherlands, by the time you read this, Airbus may well be in the #1 slot again. But as of this writing, they’re #2, with a market cap of £106.12 B ($141.02 B USD).
According to Companies Market Cap, Airbus is the world’s 110th most valuable company by market cap.
3. Lockheed Martin
A mere baby compared to say Boeing, U.S. company Lockheed Martin was founded 30 years ago, in 1995.
Lockheed’s business is firmly rooted in defense, helicopters and space, and they’re responsible for aircraft such as the F-16 and F-35. Their market cap is currently £83.52 B ($110.99 B USD)
4. Hindustan Aeronautics
With a market cap of £26.89 B ($35.73 B USD), Hindustan Aeronautics comes in at number 4. Founded in India in 1940, the company focuses on commercial, defense and helicopters.
The only passenger aircraft Hindustan Aeronautics makes is the 19-passenger Saras turboprop.
5. Dassault Aviation
Founded in 1929, Dassault Aviation is a French manufacturer of defense products and business jets.
They did make a commercial airliner that was meant to compete with the Boeing 737, but only 12 units were ever built.
6. Textron Aviation
Textron Aviation is one of the youngest companies on the list. It was founded in 2014 after its parent company acquired Beech Holdings. Their products are in the general aviation and business sectors and they’re responsible for Cessnas, as well as a variety of turboprop aircraft.
7. Embraer
Established in Brazil in 1969, Embraer is based just outside São Paulo.
Although they’re the 7th largest plane manufacturer by market cap, they’re the 3rd largest commercial aircraft manufacturer. However they also build business jets and for defense.
8. Bombardier
Canadian Bombardier, founded in 1942, used to be a well-known maker of commercial planes. But they decided to only focus on executive jets. In fact they only build 4 different aircraft at this time.
9. Korea Aerospace Industries
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) was founded in 1999. Their focus is defense, helicopters and space.
10. Joby Aviation
Another newcomer (established in 2009), Joby Aviation is a pioneer of electric aviation. They’re best known for their electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. However their goal is to receive FAA certification either late this year or early next, and begin commercial operations.
11 through 17
11. Archer Aviation (USA)
12. EHang Holdings (China)
13. Eve Air Mobility (USA)
14. Vertical Aerospace (UK)
15. Surf Air Mobility (USA)
16. Lilium (Germany)
17. ParaZero Technologies (Israel)
Check out this page of CompaniesMarketCap.com’s website for more information.
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