Future of Airlines & Airports
Our Airlines and Airports research concentrate on the needs and requirements of commercial aviation end-users, as well as the product and market strategies of their suppliers.
From data-driven modeling of airline and airport targeted product demand, and global airline and airport benchmarking studies, to new passenger engagement strategies, we support clients in the development and implementation of growth opportunities. We provide actionable insights that help clients navigate the tactical and strategic imperatives critical to accelerating their business growth. We work with airlines, airports, airport system suppliers, IT companies and technology experts, as well as several companies across the entire commercial aviation supply chain to help them evaluate and pioneer new product and growth solutions using disruptive and innovative business models. We engage with clients through customized consulting projects and strategy workshops. Our projects span the spectrum from the identification and evaluation of opportunities to development and execution of a business plan and growth strategy. We use our research and industry experience, coupled with well-defined tools and techniques, to provide 360° management and delivery of these projects. Frost & Sullivan’s Airlines & Airports Research Program can support your organization in each of the following areas:
- Development, feasibility analysis, and implementation of new airline and airport targeted solutions
- Benchmarking, development, and adoption scenarios of new business models
- Benchmarking of airline and airport digital transformation and IT investment
- Competitive intelligence to assess what industry suppliers are doing for airlines and airports, how competitors are disrupting markets, and what product/service gaps need to be bridged within the client’s organization
- Strategic insights into process optimization and KPI improvements
- Development of effective go-to-market strategies through product, pricing, and competitive analysis
- Evaluation of distribution channel optimization strategies
- Assessment of sourcing and supply chain development
We specialize in conducting growth workshops with our clients and supporting them in their journey from ideation to implementation. The team has led several workshops, including working with:
- One of the world’s largest aviation IT suppliers, managing workshops for a selection of their customers, running alongside an annual customer engagement event
- A leading OEM, planning and facilitating an industry collaboration event targeting airport operators
- A major airport systems supplier, in order to engage employees and assist in the development of a digital strategy
Expertise Areas
Frost & Sullivan’s expertise in airlines & airports research and consulting includes work in the following strategic and operational areas:
Connected Aviation
Market developments related to the connected aviation trend, encompassing mergers & acquisitions, and vertical integration; the horizontal movement of suppliers in adjacent market segments; and the need for integrated solutions capturing the planning, operational, and commercial needs of end users.
Airline IT
Core airline systems such as the Passenger Service System (PSS), Revenue Management and Network & Fleet Planning, as well as Digital Marketing solutions and Operation Systems (Flight/Tech Ops and Disruption Management).
Airport IT
Full spectrum of airport software solutions, including Resource Planning, e-Commerce, A-CDM / AODB, Retail Management, Departure Control Systems, and other on premise and Cloud-based solutions.
Airport Security
Airport security trends and technologies focusing on passenger and bag screening, as well as cybersecurity developments.
Airport Feasibility & Capacity Planning
With the advent of low cost carriers (LCCs) and the greater emphasis on point-to-point networks, secondary airports are gaining importance. The focus, in this context, is on the feasibility of new, greenfield airports, and the expansion of brownfield airports in order to keep pace with rising air travel needs in many countries.
Aeropolis and Aerospace Parks
Airports are looking to diversify from traditional aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenue streams and are investing in real estate expansion, such as shopping malls, logistics centres, business parks, hospitality and industrial zones. At the same time, city authorities and governments are exploring options to develop aerospace parks to promote economic development of the surrounding region.
Baggage Handling Systems
Global demand for Baggage Handling systems at airports, as well as adjacent solutions such as Baggage Tracking and Baggage Reconciliation, driven by IATA’s Resolution 753.
Airport Self-Service
All airport self-service systems employed at passenger touchpoints such as check-in, bag drop, security and boarding. The market is being transformed by biometrics which aims to create seamless passenger journeys and ease capacity constraints.
Passenger Management Systems
Full spectrum of software and hardware that airlines and airports use to visualize the passenger journey, engage with passengers, and deliver customized products and services. This includes mobile apps, loyalty management systems, passenger flow management, intelligent video analytics, location-based services, new distribution systems, and digital marketing solutions.
End User Benchmarking
Delivery of global benchmarking studies sponsored by airlines, airports, and industry suppliers. The purpose of these studies is for sponsors to assess their performance vis-à-vis the market, as well as to identify opportunities to differentiate or develop new products and services.
News, Events & Resources
Top Strategic Imperatives Shaping the Future of Airport Management in 2025 Rapid Shifts in Airport Operations
Airports worldwide are evolving swiftly, integrating new tech and innovative strategies to keep pace with rising demand, sustainability goals, and changing traveler expectations. The airport of the future is becoming smarter, greener, and more connected, owing to...
From AI to Sustainable Fuels: Strategic Imperatives Driving Airline Digital Transformation
Fast-paced Innovation in Aviation As airlines race to adopt AI, automation, and sustainable solutions, the industry is entering a new era defined by efficiency, safety, and eco-consciousness. This transformation is faster than ever, and the integration of disruptive...
Decoding the Future: How AI is Transforming U.S. Military Intelligence
A Paradigm in Motion The U.S. military intelligence vertical is taking bold steps into a new era, leveraging AI to redefine strategic operations, threat analysis, and battlefield decision-making. No longer a peripheral innovation, AI is becoming the critical driver...
