Market size surpasses US$16.9 billion as sustainable technologies reshape airport ground operations worldwide

By Industry News Desk

The global Ground Support Equipment (GSE) market experienced significant growth and transformation throughout 2024, driven by accelerating demand for electric and sustainable solutions, major infrastructure investments, and record-breaking attendance at key industry events. From Asia to Europe and the Americas, airlines, ground handlers, and equipment manufacturers have embraced the green transition while expanding operational capabilities to meet rising air passenger traffic.

Market Overview and Growth Trajectory

Multiple market research reports published in 2024 highlighted the robust expansion of the GSE sector. According to IMARC Group, the global ground support equipment market size reached USD 16.92 billion in 2024, with projections indicating growth to USD 31.9 billion by 2033 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.21%-12. North America maintained market dominance, accounting for 33.8% of the global market share, supported by advanced airport infrastructure and high air traffic volume-12.

Other research sources provided complementary perspectives. Market Glass, Inc. estimated the global GSE market at US$1.4 billion in 2024, forecasting growth to US$2.6 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 11.4%, with the U.S. market alone valued at US$379.5 million-3. The Chinese market is expected to grow at an impressive 15.6% CAGR, reaching a projected US$532.7 million by 2030-3. Meanwhile, 6Wresearch valued the market at USD 7.5 billion in 2024, anticipating growth to USD 10.78 billion by 2031-6.

The military and defense segment also showed steady growth, with the global market estimated at US$766.4 million in 2024, expected to reach US$958.2 million by 2030 at a CAGR of 3.8%-.

Key drivers include rising air passenger traffic, ongoing airport modernization and expansion projects worldwide, and increasing regulatory pressure for emissions reduction-5.

The Green Transition: Electrification and Alternative Fuels Accelerate

2024 marked a pivotal year for sustainable GSE adoption, with airlines and ground handlers across the globe committing to electrification and alternative fuel solutions.

Air France Leads European Electrification

Air France achieved a significant milestone in 2024, with 70% of its GSE fleet in France now fully electric. The transition encompasses aircraft tractors for pushback and towing, loaders and belt loaders for cargo and baggage handling, baggage tractors, ground power units (GPUs), and passenger stairs. The electrification initiative eliminates direct carbon emissions, improves air quality by removing nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter, and significantly reduces noise pollution around airport aprons-23. The project was recognized as an award winner in SkyTeam's Aviation Challenge 2024-23.

Hong Kong International Airport Pioneers Renewable Diesel in Asia

In a landmark development, Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) became the first airport in Asia to use renewable diesel (RD) for ground support equipment in 2024. The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) launched a one-year pilot project in collaboration with Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) and Shell Hong Kong Limited. Renewable diesel, also known as hydrotreated vegetable oil, is produced from renewable resources including waste animal fats, vegetable oils, and used cooking oils. It can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 90% compared to conventional diesel-22.

AAHK has pledged with 29 aviation-related business partners to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2050, with a mid-term target of reducing carbon emissions by 55% from 2018 levels by 2035-22.

dnata Invests in Brazilian Electric Fleet

Global air and travel services provider dnata invested US$1.7 million to add 24 electric tugs to its GSE fleet at São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport in Brazil. The electric tugs will transport passenger baggage between aircraft and terminals, preventing 420 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually — equivalent to more than 1.7 million kilometers of driving an average petrol-powered car-28.

Phil McGrane, CEO of dnata Brazil, stated: "We will continue to work closely with our partners to further improve environmental efficiency in the Brazilian aviation industry. This includes strong collaboration with the infrastructure providers, whose investment is crucial for advancing the electrification of GSE fleets"-28. dnata has committed to phasing out diesel-powered engines globally, replacing them with hybrid, electric, or hydrogen power wherever suitable infrastructure exists-28.

Major Manufacturers Drive Innovation and Expansion

TLD Commits to Ending ICE Production by 2025

TLD Group, a globally active GSE supplier and part of the Alvest group, set an ambitious goal to end manufacturing of internal combustion engine (ICE)-powered GSE by the year 2025. Valentin Schmitt, TLD's CEO, reported that sales of non-solely ICE-powered equipment have already reached two-thirds of total production, with customers worldwide recognizing the immediate benefits of full electric or hybrid solutions on cost of ownership-40.

TLD's portfolio includes baggage tractors, belt loaders, and loaders that are interchangeable to hydrogen as a potential configuration. The company also offers hybrid solutions that can be upgraded to full electric by replacing hybrid packs with battery packs, providing flexibility for customers with varying infrastructure capabilities-40.

In December 2024, Servicios Aeroportuarios Andinos (SAASA) invested US$4.2 million in 30 pieces of GSE supplied by TLD, including towbarless tugs, tractors, loaders, ground power units, air conditioners, and motorized ladders-42.

Cavotec Secures US$39 Million Bahrain Contract

Cavotec Middle East, the UAE-based subsidiary of global engineering group Cavotec, signed a €30 million (US$39 million) agreement with Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) to develop and integrate comprehensive ground support equipment for Bahrain International Airport. The turnkey project, one of the largest Cavotec has undertaken in its 40-year history, includes 18 pre-conditioned air (PCAir) systems, in-ground pop-up units, transformer substations, 400 Hz power supply systems, vacuum evacuation systems, and water supply systems-31.

Dr. Osama Al Ali, CEO of BAC, commented: "With the help and support of Cavotec's advanced technologies, we will be able to achieve a higher level of efficiency and further streamline our operations at Bahrain International Airport"-31.

Industry Gathers in Lisbon: GSE Expo Europe 2024 Sets Records

GSE Expo Europe 2024, held September 15-17 at the FIL in Lisbon, Portugal, broke all previous records with 3,755-plus delegates from around the world representing all sectors of the GSE community. Over 170 companies exhibited more than 200 pieces of GSE, weighing 880 tonnes, both indoors and outdoors at one of Portugal's most important exhibition centers-64.

Conference Chairman Max Gosney noted: "It is great record numbers and we are getting global representation. It is called GSE Expo Europe but it is very much an international show," with increased visitor attendance from Asia, the Americas, and Africa-64.

Manufacturers unveiled significant new products at the expo:

Mallaghan showcased the TSU3000E, a fully-electric lavatory truck powered by 80V lithium-ion batteries-64

Textron GSE revealed the new Safeaero 220E electric de-icer-64

Power Stow exhibited its new Tail Loader-64

Charlatte Autonom presented its Autonom® Tract featuring Level 4 autonomous technology with no operator on board-

Aurrigo demonstrated electric autonomous baggage and cargo tractors with robotic arms-62

The Innovation and Demo Zones featured demonstrations from Linde Material Handling (P350 Baggage Tractor), Timsan (EBC7500 Electric Belt Loader and TIM20E Electric Baggage Tractor), TractEasy, and others-58.

Autonomous and Smart Technologies Gain Traction

Beyond electrification, 2024 witnessed growing adoption of autonomous and connected GSE solutions. Industry players are leveraging data analytics, telematics, and IoT technologies to enable predictive maintenance and operational optimization-5.

Aurrigo, a provider of smart airside solutions, highlighted that staffing challenges and industrial action since COVID-19 have accelerated interest in autonomous baggage and cargo tractors. The company's AutoSim software provides digital twin planning tools, allowing airports to simulate autonomous GSE operations before implementation