Airport Moving Walkway Systems Market Forecasts to 2032 – Global Analysis By Business Type (New Installations, Modernization & Upgrades and Maintenance), Airport Size, System Type, Inclination, Service Scope and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Airport Moving Walkway Systems Market is accounted for $2.71 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach $3.92 billion by 2032 growing at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period. Airport moving walkway systems, commonly called travelators, play a vital role in airports by facilitating smooth passenger movement and shortening travel time between terminals. These automated pathways use motorized belts or rollers to carry passengers along predetermined routes, often covering extensive distances. They enhance comfort and efficiency, helping reduce crowding during busy periods. Travelators are especially useful for travelers carrying baggage, seniors, or individuals with limited mobility. Modern designs include safety measures, energy-saving technology, and intelligent sensors, ensuring both convenience and dependable operation. By streamlining passenger flow, these systems contribute significantly to airport functionality and overall traveler satisfaction.

According to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Global passenger traffic is projected to reach 5.2 billion in 2025, recovering to pre-pandemic levels and continuing to grow steadily through the decade.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Increasing passenger traffic

The surge in global air travelers is a major factor propelling the airport moving walkway market. As flying becomes easier and more cost-effective, airports must handle higher passenger volumes efficiently. Moving walkways alleviate congestion, speed up movement, and improve travelers’ experiences, especially during busy periods. Expansion in domestic and international flights further increases demand for effective terminal transport solutions. To manage large crowds while maintaining safety and operational performance, airports are upgrading to modern moving walkway systems, ensuring passengers reach gates quickly and comfortably without bottlenecks.

Restraint:

Convenience for passengers with luggage

The need for hassle-free movement with baggage is boosting the use of airport moving walkways. These automated pathways enable travelers to cover long distances quickly and effortlessly, enhancing comfort. Airports prioritize convenience for passengers, including those with luggage, seniors, or mobility challenges. By improving travel ease and overall satisfaction, moving walkways contribute to positive passenger experiences and airport reputation. Consequently, demand for reliable and efficient systems grows as airports strive to offer high-quality, user-friendly transport solutions within terminals, making moving walkways a key factor in modern airport design and service excellence.

Opportunity:

Increasing focus on passenger experience

The rising focus on passenger experience opens new opportunities for airport moving walkway systems. Travelers increasingly demand comfort, convenience, and efficiency while moving through terminals. Travelators reduce walking fatigue, manage congestion, and improve the overall airport experience. Airports seeking higher satisfaction ratings and repeat visitors are investing in advanced walkways. Premium airports use them to offer superior services, ensuring smooth and comfortable transit for all passengers. This growing emphasis on passenger convenience fuels demand for modern, safe and efficient moving walkway solutions in both newly constructed and upgraded terminals, making it a critical area of investment for airport operators worldwide.

Threat:

Economic downturns and reduced air travel

Economic slowdowns and instability threaten the airport moving walkway market. Declining disposable incomes and reduced travel during recessions decrease passenger numbers, causing airports to delay or reduce investment in moving walkways. Airline route reductions and lower flight frequencies further reduce terminal usage, impacting airport revenue and budget allocation for infrastructure. High installation costs make walkways a non-essential expenditure during tough economic periods. Manufacturers face slower sales and postponed projects, limiting market expansion. Overall, economic uncertainty poses a risk to consistent growth in the moving walkway market, as airports prioritize core operational needs over large-scale transport infrastructure investments.

Covid-19 Impact:

The COVID-19 outbreak had a major effect on the airport moving walkway market as air travel worldwide sharply declined. Travel restrictions, lockdowns, and reduced passenger numbers caused many airports to postpone expansion projects and delay investments in moving walkway systems. Maintenance and system upgrades were often deferred due to budget and operational challenges. Additionally, heightened health and safety measures, including frequent sanitization, social distancing, and contactless solutions, influenced the use of walkways. While passenger volumes are slowly recovering, the pandemic highlighted the susceptibility of airport infrastructure investments to global disruptions, temporarily slowing market growth and altering development priorities.

The new installations segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The new installations segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period. This segment involves the installation of moving walkways in newly built airports or terminals, driven by the rising need for efficient passenger transportation solutions. With the expansion of air travel, particularly in developing regions, airports are focusing on modernizing their infrastructure to improve passenger experience and operational effectiveness. Moreover, new installations facilitate the incorporation of advanced technologies, such as energy-efficient motors and intelligent control systems, which support the market's overall growth.

The large international airports segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Over the forecast period, the large international airports segment is predicted to witness the highest growth rate. This growth is attributed to the surge in passenger numbers, prompting the need for enhanced infrastructure to improve passenger flow and operational efficiency. In these vast terminals, moving walkways play a crucial role in ensuring quick and convenient movement of passengers across extensive distances. Additionally, there is a growing demand for moving walkway systems that are both energy-efficient and technologically advanced, driven by sustainability goals and the requirement to comply with accessibility regulations. This demand is anticipated to drive the continued expansion of the segment.

Region with largest share:

During the forecast period, the Asia Pacific region is expected to hold the largest market share. This leadership is attributed to the swift expansion of airport infrastructure in nations such as China, India, and Japan, driven by a surge in air travel. To meet the growing passenger numbers, these countries are heavily investing in modernizing airport facilities, including the integration of state-of-the-art moving walkway systems. Furthermore, the continuous rise in air traffic and the development of new airports and terminals further solidify Asia-Pacific's position at the forefront of the global market.

Region with highest CAGR:

Over the forecast period, the North America region is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR, supported by its mature aviation infrastructure and substantial passenger volumes. Airports across the United States and Canada are consistently modernizing terminals to improve passenger comfort and operational performance. The growing need to minimize congestion, accelerate movement within terminals, and assist travelers with luggage or mobility issues drives the demand for advanced moving walkway systems. Additionally, government programs and public-private collaborations promote the implementation of energy-efficient, technologically advanced walkways. As terminal upgrades continue, North America remains a pivotal market for moving walkway installations and infrastructure enhancements.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players in Airport Moving Walkway Systems Market include Fujitec Co., Ltd, Toshiba Elevator and Building Systems Corporation, Hitachi, Ltd., Kone Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Schindler Group, TK Elevator GmbH, Otis Elevator Company, Thyssenkrupp AG, Hyundai Elevator Company, Canny Elevator, AG MELCO Elevator Co. L.L.C., Stannah, Ascensori Falconi SA and Johnson Elevators.

Key Developments:

In June 2025, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has received an order for the renewal (refurbishment) of the Automated People Mover (APM) system at Singapore Changi Airport. The project encompasses the renewal of facilities for key systems such as signals, communications, and tracks to strengthen the safe and smooth transportation system. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2030.

In November 2024, KONE has secured an order to modernise King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) in Saudi Arabia with advanced people flow solutions. The project, managed by Dammam Airports Company (DACO), aims to improve the travel experience for more than 11.4 million annual passengers. KONE’s project, slated for completion in fourth quarter of 2025, involves replacing and installing 30 MonoSpace elevators, upgrading 31 EcoMod escalators, 14 EcoMod auto walks, and adding 11 new MonoSpace elevators.

In August 2024, Schindler Group has announced that its Saudi division, Schindler Olayan, has secured a major contract to supply 293 elevators, escalators, and moving walks to The Avenues – Riyadh. This significant multi-purpose development spans over 1.8 million square metres. Located in a prime area in the north of Riyadh, The Avenues – Riyadh will feature the largest commercial mall in the Middle East, covering an impressive 388,000 square metres.

Business Types Covered:
• New Installations
• Modernization & Upgrades
• Maintenance

Airport Sizes Covered:
• Small Airports
• Medium Airports
• Large International Airports

System Types Covered:
• Belt Type
• Pallet Type

Inclinations Covered:
• Horizontal Walkways
• Inclined Walkways

Service Scopes Covered:
• Retrofitting
• Greenfield Installations

Regions Covered:
• North America
US
Canada
Mexico
• Europe
Germany
UK
Italy
France
Spain
Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
Japan
China
India
Australia
New Zealand
South Korea
Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Qatar
South Africa
Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:
- Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
- Covers Market data for the years 2024, 2025, 2026, 2028, and 2032
- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements Show more