Airport Ground Vehicles Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Airport Ground Vehicles Market is projected to expand from USD 9.15 billion in 2025 to USD 13.14 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 6.22%. This market encompasses a specialized range of equipment, including aircraft tractors, cargo loaders, and passenger buses, all engineered to support vital ground handling functions. A major factor propelling this growth is the surge in air travel demand, which requires faster turnaround times to maximize scheduling efficiency and airport capacity. As reported by Airports Council International, global passenger traffic hit roughly 9.5 billion in 2024, generating a critical need for durable ground support infrastructure to handle the increased operational workload.

Conversely, the high capital costs involved in shifting toward sustainable technologies present a major obstacle to market growth. Stakeholders frequently encounter financial hurdles due to the significant upfront investment needed to purchase electric ground support equipment and establish the requisite charging infrastructure. These expenses restrict operators' capacity to phase out older diesel fleets and update their assets quickly enough to meet modernization goals.

Market Drivers

The rapid shift toward electric and sustainable ground support equipment is transforming procurement strategies as stakeholders strive to meet net-zero targets. Tighter emission regulations are driving operators to swap out old diesel fleets for electric models that provide better compliance and lower operating costs. This sectoral change is highlighted by major ground handlers committing to aggressive fleet modernization through heavy investments in green assets and charging infrastructure. For instance, Swissport International announced in September 2024 that effective January 2025, new vehicles across multiple categories must be electric, with the goal of achieving a 55% electric fleet share by 2032.

Concurrently, the growth and modernization of airport infrastructure are key catalysts for market expansion, requiring a larger volume of vehicles to support expanded runways and terminals. As facilities are upgraded to accommodate increased flight frequencies, the need for specialized vehicles for baggage and passenger transport rises. This trend is supported by substantial federal funding for aviation improvements; the Federal Aviation Administration announced in August 2024 that over $636 million in grants was awarded to fund infrastructure projects at 320 airports. Furthermore, growing logistics volumes are increasing equipment demand, with the International Air Transport Association reporting a 13.6% year-over-year rise in global air cargo demand in July 2024, further underscoring the need for efficient ground handling resources.

Market Challenges

The substantial capital expenditure required to adopt sustainable technologies acts as a major barrier to the growth of the Global Airport Ground Vehicles Market. Airports and ground handling operators face significant financial strain when acquiring electric equipment, as expenses include not only the vehicle purchase price but also costly charging infrastructure and grid upgrades. These heavy upfront investment demands compel many stakeholders to prolong the use of aging diesel fleets instead of buying new units. As a result, the market experiences lower procurement volumes and a decelerated turnover rate for advanced ground support systems, which directly restricts revenue growth for manufacturers.

This financial constraint leads to a significant gap between the operational necessity for modernization and the actual pace of equipment adoption. The International Air Transport Association noted in 2024 that the industry's difficulty in financing this transition exposes it to projected annual ground damage costs of $10 billion by 2035, emphasizing how capital limitations are delaying the essential upgrade of the global ground support fleet. Such economic friction prevents the market from reaching its full potential, even amidst strong demand for operational efficiency.

Market Trends

The implementation of autonomous baggage tractors and dollies is becoming a popular strategy to alleviate severe labor shortages and improve airside safety. By automating repetitive towing duties, ground handlers can streamline baggage flow while drastically cutting the risk of collisions and human error in crowded apron areas. This technology supports continuous, precise operations free from shift restrictions, effectively tackling the workforce challenges common in modern airport logistics. As an example, Aurrigo International PLC announced in May 2024 that it would deploy four Auto-DollyTug units at Changi Airport to pilot underwing operations, showcasing the commercial feasibility of driverless transport in complex, active settings.

At the same time, the rise of heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell vehicles marks a crucial evolution for high-load operations where battery-electric options have limitations. Hydrogen powertrains provide quick refueling and sustained high torque, making them well-suited for energy-intensive equipment such as wide-body aircraft pushback tugs that cannot tolerate long recharging downtimes. This technology offers a solution for decarbonizing heavy ramp equipment that requires constant uptime to keep flight schedules on track. Highlighting this trend, Cranfield University announced in July 2024 a collaborative initiative to trial three different hydrogen-powered assets at Exeter Airport, including a fuel cell baggage tractor and a hydrogen-combustion pushback tug, to verify their performance in real-world scenarios.

Key Players Profiled in the Airport Ground Vehicles Market

• JBT Corporation
• Textron Inc.
• ALVEST
• Mallaghan Group
• Vestergaard Company
• MULAG
• Tronair Inc.
• TIPS d.o.o.
• Ground Support Specialists LLC
• COBUS Industries GmbH

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Airport Ground Vehicles Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Airport Ground Vehicles Market, by Type:

• Refuelers
• Tugs and Tractors
• Passenger Buses
• De-Icing Vehicles
• Ground Power Units
• Others

Airport Ground Vehicles Market, by Propulsion:

• Electric
• Non-Electric
• Hybrid

Airport Ground Vehicles Market, by Application:

• Commercial
• Military and Defense

Airport Ground Vehicles Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Airport Ground Vehicles Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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