Market Trends of Europe Airport Ground Handling Systems Industry
The Aircraft Handling Segment is Anticipated to Record the Highest CAGR During the Forecast Period
The aircraft handling segment is expected to have the highest growth in the European airport ground handling systems market during the forecast period. This is mainly due to the growing fleet of major airlines in the region, which has led to an increase in flight movements at various airports in the region. For managing the increasing aircraft operations, the need for advanced aircraft handling systems has increased.
Major players are investing heavily in the research and development of products to provide advanced aircraft handling products as per safety norms. For instance, in October 2018, Fraport and Lufthansa co-tested a remote-controlled aircraft tug at Frankfurt Airport. The e-vehicle is smaller than many conventional tugs, and it can be stationed and charged in a fixed parking position. So, it is available for use at all times and avoids long travel distances between individual positions. It can manage between 30 and 50 pushback procedures without having to be charged, helping to limit emissions.
Also, in December 2022, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) called for a transition to enhanced ground support equipment (Enhanced GSE) to improve safety and contain the cost of ground damage involving GSE. Enhanced GSE uses anti-collision and inching technology, improves vehicle control, and increases docking accuracy, all of which minimizes the risk of personnel injuries and damaging aircraft. The incorporation of such advanced technology solutions for aircraft handling may propel the growth of the segment in the coming years.
United Kingdom is Anticipated to Dominate Market Share
The United Kingdom accounted for the largest share of the market. According to UK Civil Aviation Authority, about 63 million passengers flew in and out of the UK, between April and June 2022 on 477,559 flights. Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport were the busiest airports in the United Kingdom in 2022, with cumulative passenger traffic of more than 94.4 million passengers. With the growth in air traffic, the UK government has planned to increase the capacity of all the major airports in the country by 2030.
Also, airports, like Manchester Airport, are testing zero-emission ground handling equipment, like belt loaders, pushback tugs, and multi-purpose cargo tractors. Such introduction of eco-friendly equipment and the stricter new emissions norms of the UK government, along with the aging ground handling equipment infrastructure, may accelerate the demand for new airport ground handling systems during the forecast period.
