Market Trends of Airport Ground Support Vehicles Industry
The Tugs and Tractor Segment is expected to Occupy the Largest Market Share During the Forecast Period
Airport construction/expansion activities are now in progress in almost every region worldwide, with massive investments flowing into the same. The demand for tugs and tractors is driven by the rising air passenger traffic globally, as increased aircraft movement leads to the need for tugs and tractors. An aircraft tug is used to tow an aircraft from runways or hangers. Tractors are used to transport baggage between airports and aircraft. Tugs and tractors are crucial to any airport’s ground support equipment (GSE).
Advancements in mechatronics and robotics, as well as electrical and mechanical innovations, are vital in driving the aircraft ground handling industry. Modernization in ground handling systems improves the reliability, safety, and efficiency of ground operations and aircraft handling. The technology could also prove very useful in optimizing the process. Well-integrated, technology-driven ground-handling processes create an overview of all actions happening around the aircraft, helping reduce turnaround times and delays.
The demand for electric ground handling is increasing due to lower noise, no emissions, and higher efficiency. Compliance with stringent regulatory norms and reduced maintenance requirements are driving the adoption. Airport operators continuously replace their aging fleets with advanced and efficient electric vehicles. For instance, in March 2022, Lufthansa LEOS became the launch customer of Goldhofer’s all-electric towbar-less aircraft tractor named the Phoenix E in Frankfurt Airport. The Phoenix E is a battery-electric vehicle capable of moving aircraft with a take-off weight of up to 352 tons over short and long distances.
Innovations such as automated baggage tractors for transporting baggage between airports and aircraft and vice versa are boosting the segment’s growth. For instance, in November 2023, Alyzia, an airport ground handler company, announced that it had commenced Level 4 operations of an autonomous baggage tractor at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS) for efficient baggage handling operations. Such developments are expected to drive the demand for the segment during the forecast period.
Asia-Pacific is expected to Exhibit the Fastest Growth During the Forecast Period
Growing urbanization, an increasing number of air travelers, and rising spending on developing new airports boost the market growth across the region. For instance, in March 2024, Adani Group announced that it plans to invest approximately USD 7.2 billion in the development of airport sectors. The Adani Group operates seven airports in India, and one is under construction in Navi Mumbai. These seven airports handle 100-110 million passengers annually. Of the USD 7.2 billion, approximately USD 2.1 billion is allocated for the airport development in Navi Mumbai, India. In addition, India is planning to build 100 new airports by 2024. These developments are expected to drive the procurement of airport ground vehicles in the region.
The electrification of airport ground support vehicles to reduce carbon emissions is a significant trend transforming the market. Major regional countries are investing significantly in procuring electric airport ground support vehicles. For instance, in 2021, the Chongqing Airport Group announced plans to facilitate the electrification of its ground vehicles. The airport invested approximately USD 19.43 million in this initiative to procure electric vehicles and build charging stations.
In June 2022, Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport announced that it plans to reduce airside operations emissions by inducting 62 electric vehicles in 2022. The vehicles procured serve multiple purposes, from cleaning to transporting passengers between the aircraft and the terminals. Such developments are expected to drive the market demand in the region during the forecast period.
