Global Airport Operation Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Operation (Terminal Infrastructure Maintenance and Upgrade, Passenger Screening, Catering and QSR, Smart Technologies, Baggage Screening, and Aircraft MRO), By Airport Size (Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2025 - 2035.

Global Airport Operation Market Insights Forecasts To 2035

• The Global Airport Operation Market Size Was Estimated at USD 5.25 Billion in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 21.5 % from 2025 to 2035
• The Worldwide Airport Operation Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 44.70 Billion by 2035
• Asia Pacific is Expected To Grow the fastest during the Forecast Period.

Global Airport Operation Market Size was worth around USD 5.25 Billion in 2024 and is Predicted To Grow To around USD 44.70 Billion by 2035 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.5% from 2025 and 2035. Growing air traffic, more infrastructure spending, and the use of cutting-edge technologies like automation, biometrics, and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve operational effectiveness, passenger experience, and security requirements all create opportunities for the airport operations market.

Market Overview

The entire spectrum of services, programs, and operations that support airports' effective operation is referred to as the airport operation market. It includes everything from air traffic control to runway management, luggage handling, passenger services, security screening, and terminal maintenance, among other airside and landside operations. The smooth, timely, and safe flow of people, products, and airplanes is greatly dependent on this market. It also includes information management and financial operations systems that facilitate communication, scheduling, and billing.  

The market for airport operations is driven by the growing number of air travelers brought on by globalization, economic growth, and increased tourism. Global passenger traffic growth and the growing demand for real-time information are the main factors propelling the airport operation market's expansion. The increased need for international air travel, which is a result of globalization and expanding tourism, is driving the market for airport operations.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the airport operation market based on various segments and regions, forecasts revenue growth, and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the airport operation market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, type launch, development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the airport operation market. 

Driving Factors

The airport operation market, which is driven by growing demand for air travel worldwide, infrastructure development, and technological advancements, is crucial to the expansion, operational effectiveness, and regulatory compliance of the aviation sector and makes a substantial contribution to both economic growth and the overall travel experience. Information about arrivals and departures, daily flight information, critical announcements, and airline connections is all gathered and disseminated via the information management system. Air travel is being driven by the rising popularity of low-cost carriers (LCCs). In order to maintain short turnaround times, LCCs depend on effective airport operations, which is fueling demand for simplified services, including automated ticketing, boarding systems, and quicker ground handling.    

Restraining Factors

Airport operations are restricted by a number of restraining factors, including high operational costs, complicated regulations, limited infrastructural capacity, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and disruptions from pandemics or geopolitical conflicts.

Market Segmentation

The airport operation market share is classified into operation and airport size.

• The baggage screening segment dominated the market in 2024 and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the operation, the airport operation market is divided into terminal infrastructure maintenance and upgrade, passenger screening, catering and QSR, smart technologies, baggage screening, and aircraft MRO. Among these, the baggage screening segment dominated the market in 2024 and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. Increased air traveler volume and security risks are the main factors driving the need for advanced baggage screening technologies. Airports are required to implement intelligent systems that can recognize a variety of harmful items and substances in order to prevent terrorism and the transit of illicit materials, according to new laws from airport regulatory bodies.

• The class A segment accounted for the largest share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the airport size, the airport operation market is divided into class A, class B, class C, and class D. Among these, the class A segment accounted for the largest share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The Class A segment held the biggest market share for airport operations, mostly due to its sophisticated operational capabilities, high passenger volume, and vast infrastructure. Major international hubs, class A airports usually provide a wide range of aeronautical and non-aeronautical services that greatly increase market revenue.

Regional Segment Analysis of the Airport Operation Market

• North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) 
• Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)
• South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America) 
• The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)

North America is anticipated to hold the largest share of the airport operation market over the predicted timeframe.

North America is anticipated to hold the largest share of the airport operation market over the predicted timeframe. North America Effective management of airport operations is necessary in America due to the rise in air travel, which is brought about by rising disposable income and regional economic growth. The region's dominant market position is a result of its concentration on improving operational efficiency through automation, biometric screening, and integrated management systems. In order to safeguard the health and safety of its residents, the United States implemented travel restrictions, which resulted in a slowdown in socioeconomic circumstances nationwide.   

Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a rapid CAGR in the airport operation market during the forecast period. The growth of commercial airport networks, increased investments in aviation infrastructure, and rising air passenger traffic are the main drivers of Asia Pacific. Countries like China and India are building new runways and terminals as part of extensive airport development projects to handle increasing airport traffic. Furthermore, the airport operations market in India grew at the highest rate in the Asia-Pacific region, while the airport operations industry in China held the largest market share.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the airport operation market, along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their type of offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes type development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• IBM
• Indra
• QinetiQ
• Siemens
• ES Mobility
• Inform GmbH
• Daifuku Co., Ltd.
• Cisco Systems, Inc.
• Amadeus IT Group
• Honeywell International Inc.
• Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
• Raytheon Technologies Corporation
• Damarel Systems International Ltd.
• Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
• Others

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting And Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Recent Development

• In August 2025, Passenger Terminal, in collaboration with Ericsson, will host a webinar on “Future-Proof Connectivity for Today’s Critical Airport Operations” on September 17, focusing on the transformative role of private 5G in airports.

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the airport operation market based on the below-mentioned segments: 

Global Airport Operation Market, By Operation  

• Terminal Infrastructure Maintenance and Upgrade
• Passenger Screening
• Catering and QSR
• Smart Technologies
• Baggage Screening
• Aircraft MRO

Global Airport Operation Market, By Airport Size   

• Class A
• Class B
• Class C
• Class D

Global Airport Operation Market, By Regional Analysis

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa