Security concerns will drive demand for airport technology over the next five years

The demand for airport security system technology will drive the North America market for “smart” airports to $7.741 billion by 2026, compared to $3.075 billion in 2016, representing a compound annual growth rate of 9.7%, according to a new report released by Market Study Report LLC, a Delaware-based hub for market intelligence products and services.

The report’s findings and predictions are based on primary and secondary research driven by extensive data mining. The estimates and forecasts were verified through primary research with key industry participants.

Airports are seeking ways to provide passengers with better and seamless personalized experiences. The report sees growing demand for automated and self-service processes, as well as for real-time information.

These substantial growth prospects can be attributed to airports enhancing their business processes to provide optimized services. “Airport operators are investing heavily on IT and digital technology for enhancing customer experience,” the report states in its technology outlook.

PASSENGER COMMUNICATIONS WILL BE KEY

On airports’ land sides, improvements will include the adoption of digital technologies such as transport synchronization, real-time flight information, advanced booking and intelligent passenger steering for enhancing customer experiences and other features. 

Airside, expected upgrades cited by the report include in-wallet scanning, geolocation of vehicles, and coordination of vehicles with real-time information of landing aircraft.

Modernization of old airports, introduction of new airports, development in commercial aviation, and increasing focus on green initiatives are other key growth drivers expected to boost market for smart airports in North America.

The new report provides analysis of where smart technology will be expanded, both on the land and air sides of the facilities. Image: Market Study Report

TECHNOLOGY WILL PERVADE THROUGHOUT AIRPORT OPERATIONS

Cyber security threats that attempt to elicit information from passengers are also a security concern for airports, as are unauthorized uses of an airport’s systems, modifications of software and hardware, and configuration and human errors.

While the U.S. still dominates airport construction, the report projects that Canada will witness faster growth in smart airports during the forecast period. That being said, the U.S. still has the busiest airports in North America, and needs better ways to process their flyers.

“Implementation of robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning is currently trending in the U.S. aviation industry,” the report observes, citing by way of example Miami International Airport, where beacon technology is used for sending messages and guiding locations to passeners through navigation. “The technology is helping to determine where passengers are congregating, and it further enhances indoor mapping and sending relevant information to customers.”

The report identifies the leading technology suppliers for smart airports, and provides breakdowns by market size, forecasts, and trends analyses by technology, components, applications, and locations. The categories explored include security systems, biometrics, behavioral analytics, communications, cargo and baggage handling, enpoint devices, E-passport gates, air and ground traffic control, automated operations controls, sensors and beacoms, and surveillance devices.

The growing demand for airport technology is also projected by another new report on the North America Ground Handling Software Market, just released by ResearchandMarkets.com. That report foresees 3% annual growth, through 2027, to $471.1 million for this software.