Airport Operations Market Trends

Airport Operations Market Overview

The Airport Operations Market size is projected to grow from USD 5.1893028 Billion in 2024 to USD 25.3041 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.90% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). Additionally, the market size for Airport Operations was valued at USD 4.1382 Billion in 2023.

Increasing passenger traffic globally and increasing need for real-time information are the key market drivers enhancing the market growth.

Figure1: Airport Operations Market, 2018 - 2032 (USD Billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Airport Operations Market Trends

Increasing passenger traffic across the globe is driving the market growth

Various procedures are used in airport operations to guarantee that an aircraft operates efficiently and effectively in various circumstances. The primary categories for airport operations are information management, financial, airside, and landside operations. The airside operations cover runway management, ground handling security, aircraft landing and navigation, and air traffic control. The focus of landside operations is on providing passenger service and maintaining airport terminal structures. Operations include passenger check-in, baggage handling and tagging, parking facilities, managing vehicular traffic, staffing, and resource allocation. The financial operations include, among other things, point-of-sale operations, staff payrolls, and billing and invoicing operations for both aeronautical and non-aeronautical goods and services. The information management system collects and disseminates various information, including arrival and departure, daily flight information, significant announcements, and airline connections. Over the past ten years, the importance of airport operations has increased due to the increase in air traffic worldwide and the adoption of new operational technologies.

It is anticipated that the success of various stakeholders will decide the future course of airport management. All agents—landside, terminal, and airside—are anticipated to be integrated into a single platform, allowing real-time analysis to support decision-making. Total airport management (TAM) encourages data-driven decision-making, thorough KPI management, and operations integration by integrating processes and systems across the airport. TAM includes performance-based airport operations that enable the creation, adoption, and maintenance of the Airport Operational Plan (AOP) based on performance. This guarantees equity, resolves potential conflicts of interest between stakeholders, and ensures that everyone works as hard as they can to achieve a common goal.

There are many reasons for the increase in aviation traffic. Population and economic growth, fueled by the expanding middle class, are the main causes. The economy is anticipated to grow by 3% annually by 2035, while aviation traffic is anticipated to grow by an average of 6% annually. The second component of the development is the introduction of low-cost airlines that offer affordable tickets on popular routes. Since they currently make up more than 40% of air traffic in Europe and 25% worldwide, they significantly impact the intensification of air travel in Europe. These companies greatly impact airline prices by encouraging international airlines to reduce ticket prices. Thus, driving the airport operations market revenue.

Airport Operations Market Segment Insights

Airport Operations Operation Insights

Based on operation type, the airport operation market segmentation includes terminal infrastructure maintenance and upgrade, passenger screening, catering and QSR, smart technologies, baggage screening, and aircraft MRO. The baggage screening segment dominated the market; Major airports are concentrating on reducing passenger wait times at checkpoints while upholding high security. Airports are implementing cutting-edge and creative technologies to enhance bag screening. The need for sophisticated baggage screening systems is primarily driven by rising air passenger traffic and security threats. To combat terrorism and the movement of illicit materials, new regulations from airport regulatory agencies require airports to install intelligent systems that can identify various dangerous goods and substances. Additionally, the entire hold baggage screening (HBS) procedure is about to change as airports across Europe upgrade to explosive detection systems (EDS) that have been certified to ECAC Standard 3 by the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC).

Airport Operations Airport Size Insights

Based on airport size, the airport operations market segmentation includes class A, class B, class C, and class D. The class D category generated the most income, as it is utilized for terminal and route operations and covers a sizable area of the United States. Class D airspace can have different shapes and sizes depending on location and altitude.

Figure 2: Airport Operations Market, by Size, 2022 & 2032 (USD billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Airport Operations Regional Insights

By Region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the World. The North American airport operations market area will dominate this market, Due to the increase in air travel, which is caused by rising disposable income and regional economic growth, effective management of airport operations is required. The sector in the area has been impacted by the pandemic, though. The U.S. imposed travel restrictions to protect the health and safety of their citizens, which caused a slowdown in socioeconomic conditions across the country. The US Transport Security Administration (TSA) reported that 813.08 million people traveled through US airports on their own in 2018, setting a record. Additionally, the TSA convinced airports across the US to adopt stricter carry-on screening procedures.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are The U.S., Canada, German, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 3: WEIGHT LOSS MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (%)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Europe airport operations market accounts for the second-largest market share because of the expansion of smart airport initiatives in nations like Germany, France, and Spain and a large number of tourists and travelers flying on European airlines. As of May 28, 2020, there were more than 2 million confirmed COVID-19 cases throughout Europe. The region continues to account for 38% of cases and 50% of deaths globally, making travel to or from Europe riskier. The market for airport operations is ultimately severely impacted by this. Further, the German airport operations market held the largest market share, and the UK airport operations market was the fastest-growing market in the European region.

The Asia-Pacific Airport Operations Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2023 to 2032. China had more than 230 civil airports in total as of 2018, and it plans to build 220 additional airports over the next 16 years to meet the country's growing demand for air travel. By 2035, China hopes to have 450 airports in total. There is a huge need for airport baggage handling systems because so many airports are being built. In the upcoming years, new body scanners China has developed are anticipated to be installed in Chinese airports. The Chinese Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) oversaw the development of the new scanners, which are powered. The scanners can find up to 89 prohibited items in 0 point 7 seconds. The scanners gather electromagnetic waves from the passengers they are scanning to produce an image that identifies suspicious items' locations. Moreover, China’s airport operations market held the largest market share, and the Indian airport operations market was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Airport Operations Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Leading market players are investing heavily in research and development in order to expand their product lines, which will help the airport operations market grow even more. Market participants are also undertaking various strategic activities to expand their footprint, with important market developments including new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, higher investments, and collaboration with other organizations. To expand and survive in a more competitive and rising market climate, airport operations industry must offer cost-effective items.

Manufacturing locally to minimize operational costs is one of the key business tactics manufacturers use in the airport operations industry to benefit clients and increase the market sector. In recent years, the airport operations industry has offered some of the most significant advantages to medicine. Major players in the airport operations market, including Collins Aerospace (US), FLIR Systems Inc. (US), Fluke Corporation (US), Daifuku Co. Ltd. (Japan), Amadeus IT Group SA (Spain) and others, are attempting to increase market demand by investing in research and development operations.

Collins Aerospace (US), At Collins Aerospace, we collaborate closely with our clients and partners to envision, create, and deliver solutions that will reshape the course of our sector. We collaborate across industries, disciplines, and boundaries to create new and cutting-edge technologies. And together, we're bringing the most potent aerospace concepts to life. For more fuel-efficient flights, we're enabling hybrid electric propulsion. To require less maintenance, we are building lighter structures that perform better. With more autonomous operations, we are reducing the workload on our pilots. For a best-in-class cabin experience, we are fusing cutting-edge technology with contemporary design. We are transforming the use of data into potent insights that enhance passenger experiences as well as airline and airport operations. We supply more digital systems for interconnected airspace and battlespace to support quicker decision-making and increase mission effectiveness.

FLIR Systems Inc. (US), FLIR creates, develops, produces, sells, and distributes technologies that improve perception and awareness. Our thermal imaging, visible-light imaging, video analytics, measurement and diagnostic, and advanced threat detection systems bring cutting-edge sensing solutions into everyday life. To meet the needs of various applications in the industrial, commercial, government and defense markets, Teledyne FLIR offers a diverse portfolio. In addition to advancing trade efficiency and introducing cutting-edge consumer technologies, our products assist first responders and military personnel in protecting and saving lives. Increased energy and time efficiency, improved public safety, and a contribution to smart and healthy communities are all goals of Teledyne FLIR.

Key Companies in the airport operations market include

• Collins Aerospace (US)


• Fluke Corporation (US)


• FLIR Systems Inc. (US)


• Daifuku Co. Ltd. (Japan)


• Amadeus IT Group SA (Spain)

Airport Operations Industry Developments

May 2024

GMR Airports Infrastructure Limited has notified Utthishta Virat Fund, an existing shareholder of WAISL, that it has entered into a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) with the company to acquire 4,60,000 equity shares of Waisl Limited (WAISL), representing 8.40 percent of the equity shares of WAISL, for a total consideration of Rs 56.66 crore.

WAISL was incorporated under the Companies Act of 1956 on October 22, 2009. Its primary activity is the provision of end-to-end digital infrastructure of the highest caliber to airports. Additionally, WAISL functions as an exclusive partner for IT services at airports. The operational revenues of WAISL for the fiscal years 2023, 2022, and 2021 were, in that order, Rs 391 crore, Rs 152 crore, and Rs 143 crore. The Company's intended purchase of shares from Utthishta Virat Fund does not qualify as a related party transaction, and the Company's promoter or promoter group has no stake in the aforementioned transaction.

In order to bolster its position in every facet of airport-related and airport-adjacent enterprises, the organization has been investigating potential investments in entities engaged in airport adjacencies, airport-related businesses, and similar enterprises. No regulatory or governmental approvals are necessary for the aforementioned acquisition.

The primary operations of GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd. encompass power generation, construction, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracting, highway development, and exploration and mining of coal. The company also engages in the operation, maintenance, and development of special economic zones.

As of March 2024, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) holds a 1.72 percent stake in the company. To date, LIC has generated a profit of more than 100 percent from this stock. From its 52-week nadir of Rs 40 per share, the stock generated multibagger returns in excess of 100 percent; investors should keep a watch on it.

Airport Operations Market Segmentation

Airport Operations Operation Outlook

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  Terminal Infrastructure Maintenance and Upgrade

  
  


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  Passenger Screening

  
  


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  Catering and QSR

  
  


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  Smart Technologies

  
  


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  Baggage Screening

  
  


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  Aircraft MRO

  
  

Airport Operations Airport Size Outlook

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  Class A

  
  


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  Class B

  
  


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  Class C

  
  


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  Class D

  
  

Airport Operations Regional Outlook