Market Outlook
With a starting base of roughly USD 6.84 billion in 2024, the airport automation market is forecast to grow to nearly USD 12.07 billion by 2035, at a CAGR of about 5.3%. This progression confirms that airports worldwide are increasingly embracing automation to meet operational pressures and traveller expectations.
Industry Overview
Today’s airport is less a waiting lounge and more a high-tech transit hub. Every step of the journey—landing, taxi, baggage drop, security screening, boarding, cargo handling—is under pressure to be faster, safer and smarter. Automation sits at the heart of this transformation. Solutions spanning automation & control systems, data acquisition, and integrated software platforms are being rolled out to streamline operations from terminal to runway. Biometrics, real-time analytics and connected systems enable airports to manage complexity with agility and precision. For instance, self-service kiosks and dynamic passenger flow management are increasingly standard. Additionally, airports are under growing environmental and regulatory pressure, which further bolsters demand for efficient automation systems.
Key Players
The commercial and technology ecosystem underpinning airport automation features prominent global players. Siemens, Thales Group and Honeywell stand out for their strength in automation infrastructure, cybersecurity and IoT platforms respectively. Firms like Amadeus IT Group and SITA specialise in passenger processing and airline/airport systems. Indra Sistemas and NEC Corporation bring value in regional markets and niche systems. Their strategies tend to revolve around partnerships with airport operators, co-innovation, and targeted acquisitions—helping to bring new automation modules to airside, landside and terminal operations.
Segmentation Growth
Let’s unpack how the market divides and where growth is focused:

• System: The “Automation & Control” segment holds the lion’s share; meanwhile “Data Acquisition & Communication” is growing fastest as real-time connectivity becomes vital.
• Technology: “Baggage Handling Systems” dominate currently, because baggage transit remains a major operational challenge. “Security Systems” are enjoying the fastest growth owing to heightened safety demands.
• Level of Automation: “Level 3” (semi-automated processes) is dominant; “Level 4” (fully automated, AI-driven) is the sprinting category as airports seek next-generation capabilities.
• Application: “Terminal-side Operations” (check-in, baggage, screening) are the biggest area today; “Airside Operations” (ground handling, aircraft servicing) are the fastest growth front.
• End-user: “Commercial Airports” are the primary adopters; “Cargo Airports” are the fastest emerging adopters, driven by logistics growth.

Overall, the segmentation data helps identify where investment and innovation are most active—and where the future of airport automation lies.