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Airport Operations in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Alex Petridis Alex Petridis New York, United States Last Updated: September 2024 NAICS 48811

Revenue

$14.6bn

2024

$14.6bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

135k

Businesses

1,133

Wages

$X.Xbn

Airport Operations in the US industry analysis

Trends influence domestic and international air travel demand for the Airport Operations industry. Overall, lightly competing enterprises benefited from economic growth, increasing air travel spending among businesses and consumers. Similarly, a climb in high-income households spiked demand for private air travel services. While these dynamics precipitated revenue growth, the industry has suffered from a significant amount of volatility as a result of the unprecedented COVID-19 disruption in 2020. Government investment in response to this disruption allowed airport operators to withstand the low period until demand for travel returned. Therefore, revenue increased at a CAGR of just 0.9% to $14.6 billion through the end of 2024, including an inch forward of 2.4% in 2024 alone.

Trends and Insights

  • The travel industry’s bouncing back post-COVID. Corporations brought in record profit in 2022 and with a rise in per capita income, people will have more money in their pockets and travel spending will grow.
  • Aeronautical services are bouncing back post-pandemic. With travel restrictions easing, demand for maintenance, navigation and other essential services is surging. Increased passenger volumes mean more revenue from terminal services and airline fees.
  • The Southeast region's bustling population and thriving business hubs skyrocket demand for air travel. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport's global passenger volume highlights this demand, with Florida's retiree population and tourist hotspots bolstering air traffic further.
  • Demand and regulation shape airport operations. Demand for air travel and strict FAA regulations ensure that only capable operators can thrive in the industry. This keeps competition fierce but fair, prioritizing safety above all.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $14.6bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

The general health of the economy influences spending on industry services

  • The airport operations industry has shown significant resilience during the current economic environment marked by inflation, fluctuating fuel prices and supply chain disruptions. While passenger traffic saw a sharp decline initially, a strong recovery trend is evident, spurred by easing travel restrictions and pent-up demand.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Airport Operations in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Improving macroeconomic conditions benefit airport operations

  • Looking ahead, recovery in demand for domestic and international travel will drive industry growth as consumers are poised to enjoy the benefits of higher consumer confidence.

Biggest companies in the Airport Operations in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
The Port Authority Of New York & New Jersey
1,583.9
249.9
15.8
Chicago Department of Aviation
30.5
1.5
5.0

To view the market share and analysis for all 2 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Airport Operations in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Aeronautical services, Other services and Parking and ground transportation services. Aeronautical services is the largest segment of the Airport Operations in the US.

Trends and Insights

Demand for aeronautical services is growing now that travel restrictions subsided

  • Aeronautical services include maintenance and assistance for aircraft and airline operations as well as hospitality and transportation services for passengers and other consumers. Airline partnerships and landing fees form a substantial part of revenue driven by airport traffic. Higher passenger volumes directly lead to increased income from terminal services and utilities.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry includes businesses that operate international, national or civil airports or flying fields. The industry also includes operators that provide aircraft parking, air traffic control services, cargo handling services and other relevant products. Fuel wholesaling and airport janitorial services are excluded from this industry, while most aircraft repair and maintenance services are included in the Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul industry (IBISWorld report 48819).

What's included in this industry?

Operation and maintenance of airports and runwaysAir traffic controlAircraft refueling, taxi, parking and rental of hangar spaceBaggage and cargo handling services

Companies

The Port Authority Of New York & New JerseyChicago Department of Aviation

Purchase this report to view all 2 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

FIXED-BASE OPERATOR (FBO)FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA)PASSENGER FACILITY CHARGES (PFC)

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 48811 - Airport Operations in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The travel industry’s bouncing back post-COVID. Corporations brought in record profit in 2022 and with a rise in per capita income, people will have more money in their pocke...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Aeronautical services are bouncing back post-pandemic. With travel restrictions easing, demand for maintenance, navigation and other essential services is surging. Increased ...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The Southeast region's bustling population and thriving business hubs skyrocket demand for air travel. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport's global passenger vol...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Demand and regulation shape airport operations. Demand for air travel and strict FAA regulations ensure that only capable operators can thrive in the industry. This keeps com...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

In September 2021, the Chicago Department of Aviation finished a 16-year, $6.0 billion modernization of O’Hare International Airport, significantly reducing delays. The proje...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of The Port Authority Of New York & New Jersey's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Chicago Department of Aviation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for The Port Authority Of New York & New Jersey, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Chicago Department of Aviation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

The FAA and other federal bodies, such as the TSA and CBP, heavily regulate US airports. This ensures safety, security, and conformity to national and international standards...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

After plummeting during the pandemic, when demand for air travel was at its lowest, profit has climbed to achieve its 2019 pre-pandemic level. Increasing automation has lower...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
  • Income Statement (2017-2022)
  • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Airport Operations in the US industry in United States in 2024?

The market size of the Airport Operations in the US industry in United States is $14.6bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Airport Operations in the US industry in 2024?

There are 1,133 businesses in the Airport Operations in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.8 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Airport Operations in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Airport Operations in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 0.9 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Airport Operations in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Airport Operations in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Airport Operations in the US market in United States?

The biggest companies operating in the Airport Operations market in United States are The Port Authority Of New York & New Jersey and Chicago Department of Aviation

What does the Airport Operations in the US in United States include?

Operation and maintenance of airports and runways and Air traffic control are part of the Airport Operations in the US industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Airport Operations in the US in United States?

The company holding the most market share in United States is The Port Authority Of New York & New Jersey.

How competitive is the Airport Operations in the US industry in United States?

The level of competition is low and increasing in the Airport Operations in the US industry in United States.

Related Industries

Widen you competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • New Car Dealers in the US
  • Used Car Dealers in the US
  • Rail Transportation in the US

Complementors

  • Aircraft, Engine & Parts Manufacturing in the US
  • Gasoline & Petroleum Wholesaling in the US
  • International Airlines in the US
  • Domestic Airlines in the US
  • Aircraft Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul in the US
  • Food Service Contractors in the US

International industries

  • Global Airport Operation
  • Airport Operations in Australia
  • Airport Operations in New Zealand
  • Airports in the UK
  • Airports in China

View all industries in United States

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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