The Passenger Boarding Bridges (PBB) market has undergone various developments which reflect the airport infrastructure and passenger experience in the aviation industry. The sector of Passenger Boarding Bridges has seen several key developments over the past years. The primary driver is an increased emphasis on passenger convenience and ease when traveling by air. In other words, these structures also known as jet bridges or aerobridges play a critical role in transitioning passengers from terminal buildings to planes making boarding and disembarking easier.
Market trends within the Passenger Boarding Bridges sector are defined by technological advancements. Advanced features like adjustable heights, automatic docking options, or climate-controlled cabins have enhanced boarding and disembarkation efficiency as well as passenger experience in this industry. It is because such improvements can help alleviate quick and easy access to aircraft for busy airports that handle high numbers of passengers.
Energy efficiency and sustainability are modern trends in the Passenger Boarding Bridges market. More airports and carriers opt for environmentally friendly solutions and energy-saving technologies with low carbon footprints. As part of this shift, manufacturers have started producing PBBs whose components use less energy, advanced light systems, and materials that reduce overall energy consumption during operations.
Another prominent trend is the need for flexible boarding processes that can be adapted according to clients’ needs. Since different airlines operate diverse types of planes including large-body ones and small-body ones, there is a growing demand for PBBs that can be used for different kinds of airplanes. Flexible PBBs with modules which are easily adjusted to fit various airplane sizes are therefore being manufactured so as to offer customised boarding solutions at airports.
Technological advancements aside, COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on market dynamics cannot be ignored either. With reference to health safety measures taken at airports today; there have been changes made in terms of designs regarding PBBs such as contactless boarding controls including antimicrobial coating not forgetting improved ventilation systems aimed at addressing passenger concerns and enhancing overall hygiene during boarding.
Furthermore, global collaborations and partnerships are driving market trends in the Passenger Boarding Bridges sector. Players within this industry are involved in strategic alliances with airport operators, airlines and technology providers aimed at promoting innovation as well as addressing specific needs of various airports. The aim of these partnerships is to produce standardised solutions that can help in sharing knowledge while ensuring easy integration of PBBs into airport infrastructures.
However, there are still challenges in the market for the Passenger Boarding Bridges notably to include constraints related to airport infrastructure, accommodation of different aircraft models and navigating through safety and security standards dictated by regulations. Additionally, fluctuation in economies as well as uncertainties about aviation business may affect investments by airports towards upgrading or expanding its PBB infrastructure.”
In 2019, Wellington Airport in New Zealand implemented a completely automated aerobridge docking system to speed up passenger boarding and disembarking from aircraft. The aerobridge has been installed at one of the airport's domestic gates, making it the world's first aerodrome to implement this technology. Wellington-based Airport Equipment created the Intellidock system, an automated aerobridge. When an airplane is parked at its designated gate, the bridge sensor scans the aircraft door and automatically moves and locks the Intellidock system into position.
In 2022, the first autonomous boarding bridge in Asia was officially placed into service at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in southwest China, marking a milestone in the intelligent upgrading Chinese civil aviation industry. The boarding bridge was built by Shenzhen-based CIMC Tianda Holding Co Ltd (CIMC-Tianda), a subsidiary of China's premier container and energy equipment producer, China International Marine Containers (Group) Ltd. The sophisticated equipment includes an innovative cabin door identification and positioning system that can rapidly transfer data to the artificial intelligence-based autonomous control system.
ADELTE (Spain): They haven't released any major news recently, but in March 2023, they won a project to develop an autonomous driving system for passenger boarding bridges and an IoT platform. This indicates their focus on innovation in automation.
John Bean Technologies Corporation (JBT) (US): JBT was acquired by Oshkosh Corp. in May 2023 for $800 million. Oshkosh intends to leverage JBT's expertise in passenger boarding bridges to strengthen their airport equipment portfolio.
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