Significant advancements are taking place in the aerial imaging market due to rapidly changing technologies and a rise in need for high accuracy in aerial imagery. Aerial imaging is the procedure of capturing images of the ground from a raised position, usually from a camera not held by a ground-based structure. The global aerial imaging market is estimated to reach a value of US$ 5,224.3 Mn by 2026 from US$ 1, 643.8 Mn in 2017, expanding at a CAGR of 13.8%.

Increase in the usage of aerial imagery in various sectors and rise in the popularity of location-based services are prominent drivers of the aerial imaging market. Aerial imagery or photography combines the unique features of cost-effectiveness and high precision for volume calculations, planning, route design, or the update of existing mapping. Aerial imaging has applications in many industries.This is likely to propel the global aerial imaging market in the coming years.

The aerial imaging market has been segmented based on camera orientation, platform, end-use industry, and region. Based on camera orientation, the market has been classified into vertical and oblique. The oblique segment has been further sub-categorized into high oblique and low oblique. In 2017, the oblique segment accounted for maximum market share. This is because oblique aerial photographs can reduce costs involved in planning, mapping, and inventorying. In vertical aerial imaging, the resulting image is a flat and map-like image of rooftops and canopies of buildings and structures being shot as well as the roads or other items that surround the subject.

In terms of platform, the market can be classified into manned aircraft, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and others (air balloons, kites, parachutes, etc.). The manned aircraft systems segment has been further divided into fixed wing and rotary wing. In 2017, the UAS segment accounted for nearly half of the total market share, followed by manned aircraft systems. The UAS segment is estimated to expand at a rapid pace. Unmanned aircraft systems offer new opportunities to monitor remote areas, and their form factors and cost enables a higher frequency of data collection compared to aerial survey. Based on maps derived from aerial photographs of rough terrains and harsh climatic regions, several important decisions are regularly made by organizations. In such regions, only UAVs can capture aerial images.

Based on end-use industry, the market can be classified into government, defense, sports & entertainment, forestry & agriculture, energy, research, construction & real estate, insurance and others. The government sector is expected to account for a major market share in 2026, while the insurance and construction & real estate segments are anticipated to expand at a robust growth rate during the forecast period. Increase in the usage of aerial imagery in various sectors is one of the prominent drivers of the aerial imaging market.

In terms of region, the global aerial imaging market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America. North America is estimated to be aglobal leader in the aerial imaging market, followed by Europe. The market in Asia Pacific is likely to expand at a moderate growth rate. Asia Pacific is expected to be an attractive region of the aerial imaging market during the forecast period owing to a rise in demand for aerial imagery services from the expanding defense, energy, and agricultural sectors in the region. Market demand is also picking up pace due to a high number of earthquakes in Asia Pacific. The construction & real estate industry in Middle East & Africa is estimated to expand at a significant pace due to the development of new products and services.The market in South America is expected to expand at a sluggish pace as compared to other regions.The demand for aerial imaging in South America is mainly driven by the region's steadily expanding agricultural and industrial sectors.

The global aerial imaging market is led by players such as EagleView Technologies, Inc., Kucera International Inc, Landiscor Real Estate Mapping, NRC Group ASA, Nearmap Ltd., Verisk (Geomni), Keystone Aerial Surveys, Inc., Fugro N.V., Sanborn Map Company, Inc., Digital Aerial Solutions, LLC, Cooper Aerial Surveys Co., and GeoVantage, Inc, among others.

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