Ground Support Equipment Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Ground Support Equipment Market is projected to expand from USD 9.44 Billion in 2025 to USD 13.33 Billion by 2031, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.92%. Ground Support Equipment (GSE) comprises specialized machinery located on airport aprons, including aircraft tugs, ground power units, and baggage loaders, which are crucial for mobility, power, and cargo handling during servicing between flights. This growth is largely fueled by extensive global airport modernization efforts and the operational necessity to reduce aircraft turnaround times, alongside a sustained recovery in flight frequencies that demands robust ground handling capabilities to maintain schedule integrity.

This upward trend is supported by increasing flight operations that necessitate efficient ground servicing. According to Airports Council International (ACI) World, global aircraft movements reached an estimated 100 million in 2024, marking a 4.3% rise from the prior year. However, the market encounters a substantial hurdle due to the significant capital investment needed to transition to electric equipment. This financial constraint, combined with the requirement for extensive upgrades to charging infrastructure, remains a major obstacle hindering rapid market expansion.

Market Drivers

Rising global air passenger and cargo traffic acts as the primary catalyst for the ground support equipment market, demanding enhanced fleet capabilities to manage higher flight frequencies. As airlines increase schedules to accommodate traveler needs, ground handling operations require a greater volume of reliable machinery, such as pushback tugs and cargo loaders, to ensure adherence to schedules. This operational stress compels airports and handlers to rapidly expand their equipment inventories to avoid apron bottlenecks, a trend corroborated by recent traffic recovery data. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), January 2025, total full-year revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) increased by 10.4% in 2024 compared to the preceding year, generating an urgent need for additional assets to service the growing number of aircraft movements.

Concurrently, the rapid shift toward electric and hybrid ground support fleets is transforming procurement strategies, influenced by strict environmental regulations and corporate sustainability objectives. Stakeholders are actively replacing legacy diesel units with zero-emission alternatives to decrease carbon footprints and operational fuel expenses. This transition is evident in significant operational upgrades; for example, Menzies Aviation reported in its 'Annual Review & Sustainability Report 2024', released in May 2025, that it added over 850 new electric ground support units to its global fleet that fiscal year. Such modernization efforts are drawing considerable investment, as seen with Swissport International AG's 2025 announcement of a committed €1.5 billion investment over five years to electrify its ground handling infrastructure, marking a clear industry shift toward sustainable technologies.

Market Challenges

The significant capital expenditure necessary to transition to electric equipment presents a critical barrier to the Global Ground Support Equipment Market's growth. Operators and airports confront elevated upfront costs not only for acquiring advanced electric units, which are considerably more expensive than traditional diesel models, but also for developing the requisite supporting ecosystem. This financial pressure compels many organizations, especially those with tight profit margins, to postpone fleet renewal plans. Consequently, these stakeholders frequently opt to prolong the service life of aging machinery instead of committing to the substantial immediate liquidity required for electrification, thereby limiting new equipment orders and slowing market expansion.

Additionally, the expense associated with upgrading physical infrastructure to support modern fleets introduces a secondary level of financial strain. Implementing widespread charging stations and reinforcing apron electrical grids demands funding that competes with other essential airport development initiatives. According to Airports Council International (ACI) World, in 2025, it is estimated that $2.4 trillion in total capital investment is required by 2040 to meet long-term global airport infrastructure needs. This immense capital requirement establishes a fiscally restricted environment where resources are spread thin, often leading to the delay of ground support equipment procurement and essential modernization projects.

Market Trends

The incorporation of autonomous and remotely operated vehicles is progressing swiftly from pilot testing to commercial use, fundamentally reshaping ground handling operations. Airports and handlers are increasingly adopting driverless baggage tractors and dollies to alleviate severe labor shortages and improve apron safety by minimizing human error. This transition involves deploying advanced navigation systems that enable equipment to function independently within complex airside settings, evolving from basic automation to fully intelligent robotic workflows. The commercial success of this technology is growing; according to Aurrigo International PLC's 'Annual Report 2024' from May 2025, the company's Autonomous division reported revenues of £2.9 million, a 433% increase from the previous year, as airports hastened the uptake of these smart solutions.

In parallel, the widespread integration of telematics and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies is revolutionizing fleet management approaches. Operators are focusing on digital connectivity to access real-time data regarding equipment location, battery status, and usage rates, facilitating a transition from reactive repairs to predictive maintenance strategies. This digital evolution enables stakeholders to optimize asset deployment and minimize downtime by detecting potential mechanical issues before they happen. The magnitude of this technological investment is substantial; according to SITA's 'Air Transport IT Insights 2024' report from February 2025, global airport IT expenditure hit an estimated $8.9 billion in 2024, with a major emphasis on enhancing infrastructure to sustain data-driven operations and intelligent asset management.

Key Players Profiled in the Ground Support Equipment Market

• JBT Corporation
• Tronair Inc.
• Curtis Instruments, Inc.
• Aero Specialties Inc.
• Aeroservices Ltd.
• Cavotec SA
• Jalux Inc.
• Alvest Group
• Kalmar Motor AB

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Ground Support Equipment Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Ground Support Equipment Market, by Type:

• Powered Ground Support Equipment
• Non-Powered Ground Support Equipment

Ground Support Equipment Market, by Power Source:

• Electric
• Non-Electric
• Hybrid

Ground Support Equipment Market, by Application:

• Aircraft Handling
• Passenger Handling
• Cargo Handling

Ground Support Equipment Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Ground Support Equipment Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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