Airport Operations Market Report 2026

The airport operations market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $7.18 billion in 2025 to $7.9 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in global air travel volumes, expansion of airport infrastructure, rising security and safety requirements, adoption of automated ground operations, increasing investment in airport modernization.

The airport operations market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $11.51 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing smart airport initiatives, rising demand for contactless passenger services, expansion of data-driven airport operations, growing focus on sustainability in airport facilities, increasing integration of ai-based traffic management. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of smart airport management systems, rising deployment of automated passenger processing, expansion of digital baggage handling solutions, growing use of predictive maintenance technologies, enhanced focus on operational efficiency.

The growing number of air travelers is expected to drive the expansion of the airport operations market. Passenger traffic refers to the movement of individuals traveling by air, land, or sea, measured by the number of people transported over a specific period. This increase is fueled by factors such as economic growth, rising travel demand, affordable airfares, and improved connectivity. As passenger traffic rises, airports require efficient operations to handle services such as check-ins, security, baggage handling, and infrastructure management. In January 2025, the Airports Council International (ACI), a Canada-based organization representing airport authorities, reported that global passenger traffic is projected to exceed pre-pandemic levels, reaching 9.5 billion in 2024, surpassing 12 billion by 2030, and doubling to 19.5 billion by 2042 compared to 2024 figures. This increasing demand is contributing to the expansion of airport operations.

Companies in the airport operations market are focusing on technological advancements, including artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and improve passenger flow. AI enables machines to simulate human intelligence, allowing them to learn, analyze, and make decisions. In December 2024, GMR Airports Limited, an India-based construction company, introduced an AI-powered digital twin platform at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad. This platform integrates real-time data from airside, landside, and terminal operations into a single system, utilizing AI, real-time analytics, and IoT technology. The goal is to optimize decision-making, enhance operations, and improve the passenger experience by reducing congestion, minimizing delays, and strengthening security measures.

In January 2025, AviAlliance GmbH, a Germany-based airport management company, acquired AGS Airports Limited for $1.93 billion (£1.53 billion). This acquisition is part of AviAlliance's strategy to expand its airport portfolio, apply its expertise in airport development, enhance air connectivity, and improve passenger services while supporting local communities. AGS Airports Limited, a UK-based airport operator, specializes in the development, construction, and maintenance of airport facilities designed for passenger travel.

Major companies operating in the airport operations market are Siemens AG, Honeywell International Inc., Collins Aerospace, Thales S.A., AECOM Technology Corporation, Amadeus IT Group SA, Aena S.M.E. S.A., Daifuku Co. Ltd., Fraport AG, Royal Schiphol Group N.V., Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques SC., Flughafen Zürich AG, TAV Airports Holding A.Ş., Changi Airport Group (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., ADELTE GROUP S.L, Das Handling LTD, GMR Airports Limited, AviAlliance GmbH, The Manchester Airports Group plc, SITA (SITA Ltd.), Swissport International Ltd., dnata, Menzies Aviation, Aviapartner, SATS Ltd., AI Airport Services Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the airport operations market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the airport operations market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the airport operations market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The airport operations market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as air traffic management, ground handling service, immigration and customs, and cargo services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The airport operations market also includes sales of passenger transport vehicles, traffic management systems, boarding bridges, and automated gates. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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