Intelligent Airways Transportation Market Report 2026

The intelligent airways transportation market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $20.97 billion in 2025 to $22.68 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in deployment of automated check-in and baggage handling systems improving airport throughput, rising adoption of biometric identification to streamline passenger verification processes, expanding use of smart boarding gates enhancing boarding efficiency and security, increased demand for real-time flight and baggage tracking improving operational transparency, adoption of aircraft health monitoring systems supporting predictive maintenance initiatives.

The intelligent airways transportation market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $30.7 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to advancements in data analytics and ai enabling more efficient and personalized air travel services, rising demand for seamless passenger experience driving integration of fully automated airport workflows, expansion of digital identity ecosystems increasing adoption of next-generation biometric systems, growing focus on sustainability encouraging deployment of energy-efficient intelligent transportation technologies, increasing investment in connected aviation infrastructure enhancing predictive operations and system interoperability. Major trends in the forecast period include automated check-in and baggage handling, biometric identification systems, smart boarding gates implementation, real-time flight and baggage tracking, predictive aircraft maintenance.

The increasing use of airways transport among all modes of transportation is expected to propel the growth of the intelligent airways transportation market going forward. The rising use of airways refers to a growing number of people choosing air travel as their preferred mode of transportation for both passengers and freight. Intelligent airways transportation offers improved safety, enhanced efficiency, better customer experience, and cost savings. For example, in December 2024, according to Eurostat, a Luxembourg-based government agency, a total of 973 million passengers traveled by air within the EU in 2023, representing a 19.3% increase compared to 2022 (816 million). The data indicate that every EU country experienced growth in air passenger numbers compared with the previous year. Therefore, the increasing use of airways transport among all modes of transportation is driving the growth of the intelligent airways transportation market.

Major companies operating in the intelligent airways transportation market are focusing on developing innovative solutions such as smart security systems to enhance passenger safety, improve operational efficiency, and streamline airport management. Smart security systems are advanced technologies that leverage sensors, cameras, and data analytics to monitor and detect potential threats in real time, enabling airports to improve safety, reduce false alarms, and respond quickly to security incidents. For instance, in April 2025, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., a China-based technology company, launched its Smart Airport Intelligent Operation Center (IOC) during the Passenger Terminal Expo in Madrid. The solution aims to transform airport management through all-domain situational awareness and data-driven decision-making. It integrates over 30 airport production systems into a single digital platform, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and efficient resource coordination. Leveraging advanced AI algorithms, the IOC forecasts aircraft stand times, optimizes ground operations, and enhances flight punctuality, supporting the global shift toward smarter and more connected airport ecosystems. Beyond operational efficiency, the IOC strengthens airport safety and improves the passenger experience by providing decision-makers with an integrated, real-time view of airside and terminal activities, allowing airports to anticipate disruptions, allocate resources proactively, and maintain smooth passenger and flight flows even during peak travel periods or adverse weather conditions.

In May 2023, Oshkosh Corporation, a US-based defense industry company, acquired JBT Corporation for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition is intended to boost Oshkosh Corporation's growth and margins, expand its market presence, and enhance sustainability in the air transportation support sector. The company anticipates EPS accretion and a return on invested capital exceeding 10% within three years. JBT Corporation, also US-based, specializes in technology solutions for the food processing and airport services industries, including intelligent airways transportation solutions.

Major companies operating in the intelligent airways transportation market are Amadeus IT Holding S.A., Cisco Systems Inc., Indra Sistemas S.A., International Business Machines Corporation, Nippon Electric Company Limited, Siemens AG, Rockwell Collins Inc., Société International de Télécommunications Aéronautiques, Unisys Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., Zhongxing New Telecommunications Equipment Co. Ltd., Microsoft Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Thales Group Inc., Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Saab AB, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Frequentis AG, ADB SAFEGATE, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Saipher ATC, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Airbus SE, Adacel Technologies Limited, SkySoft-ATM, Threod Systems, Intelcan Technosystems Inc., Leonardo S.p.A., ALTYS Technologies, Skygyuide.

North America was the largest region in the intelligent airways transportation market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global intelligent airways transportation market during the forecast period. The regions covered in the intelligent airways transportation market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are impacting the intelligent airways transportation market by increasing the cost of imported hardware components such as sensors, cameras, and biometric devices, as well as software licensing fees, leading to higher deployment costs for airports and airlines. Segments most affected include hardware and technology, with Asia-Pacific regions, particularly China and Taiwan, being major sourcing hubs. Positive effects include encouragement of domestic manufacturing and development of cost-effective local software solutions.

The intelligent airways transportation software market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides intelligent airways transportation software market statistics, including intelligent airways transportation software industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an intelligent airways transportation software market share, detailed intelligent airways transportation software market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the intelligent airways transportation software industry. This intelligent airways transportation software market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Intelligent airways transportation (IAT) involves the application of advanced technologies and systems to enhance various facets of air transportation, encompassing passenger experience, safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

The primary components of intelligent airways transportation consist of hardware and software. Hardware refers to the physical components employed to implement and operate the intelligent airways transport system, such as sensors, cameras, communication devices, controllers, and other electronic devices. It plays a crucial role in collecting data, processing information, and facilitating communication with other components within the system. The technologies utilized in intelligent airways transportation include robotics and artificial intelligence, data science, and biometrics, enabling self-services. These technologies are deployed both on-cloud and on-premises, catering to applications such as passenger empowerment, smarter baggage solutions, biometric-enabled self-service, and others.

The countries covered in the intelligent airways transportation market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The intelligent airways transportation market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services for automated check-in and baggage handling, biometric identification systems, smart boarding gates, real-time tracking of flights and baggage, predictive maintenance of aircraft, and data analytics. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included. Intelligent airways transportation also includes sales of biometric identification systems, smart boarding gates, baggage tracking devices, aircraft health monitoring systems, and in-flight entertainment systems. 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.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.