The smart airport market is expected to grow at a 8.12% CAGR, increasing to USD 12.186 billion by 2030 from USD 8.246 billion in 2025.
Smart airport market describes the application of advanced procedures and technology to make airports more automated, efficient, and user-friendly. The need for enhanced airport security, the rise in the adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing technologies in the aviation industry, and other factors all contribute to the growth of the smart airport market. The demand for automated and self-service processes to improve passenger experience is one of these factors. The use of biometric technology like facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and iris recognition to speed up airport security procedures and cut wait times has a substantial impact on the smart airport business. Additionally, these technologies aid in increasing the precision and dependability of passenger identification and limiting unwanted access. Deploying smart airport technologies can also assist airports in lowering their carbon footprint by maximizing energy usage, minimizing waste, and enhancing sustainability. For instance, intelligent HVAC systems can optimize temperature management and use less energy, while intelligent lighting systems can automatically alter illumination levels based on the number of people present in a particular location.
In the upcoming years, the demand for improved passenger experiences, airport security, and operational efficiency will propel the expansion of the smart airport market. This trend is anticipated to be accelerated by the use of cutting-edge technologies like IoT, biometrics, and cloud computing. At the same time, the market for smart airports will be significantly shaped by the growing emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency.
According to US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) projections, there will be 1.3 billion commercial passengers in the US by 2039, an increase of 40% over the 925 million passengers there were in 2020. Airports are faced with several difficulties as a result of the rising passenger volume, including congestion, hold-ups, and lengthy wait periods at security checks and baggage claim areas. Airports are implementing smart airport technologies to address these issues in order to increase the effectiveness of their operations and improve the passenger experience. For instance, airports use automated check-in and bag-drop systems to cut down on waiting times, they also incorporate sensors and data analytics to track passenger movement and optimize space use, and mobile apps to offer real-time flight information and navigation. As such, the rising passenger traffic in the aviation industry is expected to benefit the smart airport market.
International tourism is driving investments in airport infrastructure by governments all over the world. As a result, numerous nations now have smart airports that are being developed with the aid of public-private partnerships. For instance, the US government has funded infrastructure and airport renovation projects through the Federal Aviation Administration, while the Indian government has introduced the UDAN scheme to increase regional connectivity.
Due to the rising need for AI-based advanced systems and equipment on the terminal side of the airport, the terminal side sector is anticipated to increase significantly throughout the projected period. Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered technologies can track and analyze foot movement in airport buildings, spot crowd trends, and bottlenecks, calculate waiting times and use these insights to improve queue and crowd management.
Based on geography, the smart airport market is segmented into North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. Strong investments in new airport construction and airport expansion are expected to propel the growth of the Asia Pacific smart airport market. The amount of passengers handled by airports in nations including China, India, Japan, and South Korea, among others, has rapidly increased during the past several years. As a result, the government and airport authorities in the area have pledged major investments in airport development. The funding for the digitalization of airports in North American nations has also expanded dramatically. In addition, the North American smart airport market is bolstered by the presence of major virtual system manufacturers as well as a thriving computer and software sector.
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Market Size in 2026 | USD 8.246 billion |
| Total Market Size in 2031 | USD 12.186 billion |
| Growth Rate | 8.12% |
| Study Period | 2021 to 2031 |
| Historical Data | 2021 to 2024 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 – 2031 |
| Segmentation | Airport, Operation, Solution Type, Geography |
| Geographical Segmentation | North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific |
| Companies |
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