Smart airport market predicted to boom

The global market for ‘smart’ airports is growing fast, thanks to the launch of digital, automated and connected processes in airports around the world.

Self-service check-in, smart baggage drop and smart luggage tracking are three of the most commonly deployed smart airport services.

Furthermore, arising demand for various technologically advanced non-aeronautical systems, communication systems, and security systems such as electronic bag tags is expected to further boost growth over the coming years.

A new report from Grand View Research predicts that the global smart airport market will be worth as much as $25bn (£19bn) by 2025, up from $10bn (£7.6bn) in 2016, growing at a compound annual rate of 10.7%.

According to the report, airports are increasingly implementing new technologies and devices, such as smart access control systems, fingerprint readers and smart card technology, to personalise and enhance the overall passenger experience. Also, with the introduction of smartphone-based airport apps, passengers can easily access real-time information, such as traffic and parking updates, gate number, flight status, directions, and guidance for check-in and baggage drop.

Another trend in the market is the development of queue management systems that use existing CCTV systems and predict the waiting time in check-in areas, security checkpoints, taxi lanes and passport control. The technology counts the number of passengers captured on CCTV cameras, calculates the waiting time, and predicts the time lost by a passenger in queue.

Meanwhile, other smart innovations are emerging in the security field, reports IFSEC Global. One example is automated PSIM systems, which analyse video surveillance footage to identify anything suspicious such as unattended bags and enhance the efficiency of data analysis through deep-learning algorithms.

Increased competitiveness in the airport industry has led to a shift in focus towards a customer-centric and data-driven approach to enhance operational efficiency, Grand View Research explains.

As a result, airports worldwide are seeking to make the most of emerging technologies with advanced capabilities.

Sign up to our newsletter

Meet our experts