Airport Cleaning Machine Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Truck-Mounted, Walk-Behind), By Application (Surface Cleaning, Rubber Removal, Paint Removal, Others), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 3.45 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.91%
Fastest Growing Segment	Rubber Removal
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 4.87 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Airport Cleaning Machine Market will grow from USD 3.45 Billion in 2025 to USD 4.87 Billion by 2031 at a 5.91% CAGR. The Global Airport Cleaning Machine Market consists of specialized industrial equipment, including autonomous scrubbers, sweepers, and vacuum systems, utilized to uphold rigorous sanitation standards across terminals, aprons, and hangars. Market growth is primarily driven by the substantial resurgence in air travel and heightened regulatory hygiene mandates, both of which necessitate frequent and high-capacity cleaning cycles to ensure operational compliance. According to Airports Council International, in 2025, global passenger volume for 2024 was projected to reach 9.5 billion, indicating a massive recovery in footfall that compels airport operators to invest in automated sanitation fleets. This demand for efficiency in managing larger crowds directly supports the procurement of industrial cleaning solutions.

However, a significant challenge impeding broader market expansion is the high capital expenditure required for acquiring advanced autonomous cleaning units. Smaller regional airports often face budgetary constraints that make the return on investment for robotic systems difficult to justify compared to manual labor alternatives, thereby restricting technology adoption in cost-sensitive segments of the aviation industry.

Key Market Drivers

The Expansion and Modernization of Airport Infrastructure Worldwide is a primary catalyst for market growth, as the construction of larger terminals and expanded aprons directly increases the surface area requiring daily sanitation. Airport operators are aggressively investing in facility upgrades to accommodate rising passenger numbers, necessitating the procurement of advanced floor scrubbers and sweepers to maintain hygiene across these vast new footprints. This trend is evident in substantial government backing for aviation projects, which fuels the demand for maintenance equipment. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in July 2025, over $674 million in infrastructure grants were awarded to 323 airports to fund the construction and improvement of facilities, including runway and taxiway repairs that demand specialized cleaning maintenance.

Concurrently, the Adoption of Autonomous and Robotic Cleaning Solutions to Mitigate Labor Shortages is reshaping the market landscape by offering consistent, high-frequency sanitation without increasing workforce overhead. As airports face challenges in recruiting manual cleaning staff, they are turning to self-driving units capable of operating 24/7 to ensure compliance with rigorous health standards. A notable implementation occurred when, according to Gulf News, in November 2025, Dubai Airports partnered with Farnek to deploy more than 30 autonomous cleaning robots across its terminals to enhance operational efficiency. The robust financial performance of equipment manufacturers underscores this sector's expansion; according to Tennant Company, in February 2025, the company reported full-year 2024 net sales of $1.29 billion, reflecting sustained demand for industrial cleaning technologies.

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Key Market Challenges

The high capital expenditure required for acquiring industrial cleaning equipment constitutes a substantial barrier to market growth. Autonomous scrubbers and vacuum systems command premium price points that often exceed the discretionary budgets of regional and smaller airports. For these cost-sensitive operators, the return on investment for automated units remains difficult to justify when compared to traditional manual labor expenses. Consequently, facility managers frequently defer procurement of these technologies, prioritizing essential structural repairs or personnel costs over fleet modernization.

This budgetary strain is compounded by the immense financial pressure to maintain and expand aviation infrastructure. According to Airports Council International, in 2025, the global airport sector faces a projected capital expenditure requirement of approximately 2.4 trillion US dollars by 2040 to address long-term capacity limits. With such massive funding allocated to core structural developments, the available capital for auxiliary operational equipment becomes severely restricted. This financial diversion hampers the widespread adoption of automated sanitation fleets, directly limiting the expansion of the cleaning machine market in budget-constrained regions.

Key Market Trends

The Adoption of Sustainable and Water-Recycling Cleaning Systems is rapidly accelerating as airport operators align operational protocols with stringent global Net Zero mandates. Aviation hubs are increasingly prioritizing equipment that minimizes environmental impact through reduced water consumption and chemical usage, moving beyond basic sanitation to holistic lifecycle management. This shift is substantiated by manufacturers engineering machines with lower carbon footprints to meet these green procurement standards. According to Tennant Company, June 2024, in the '2024 Sustainability Report', the organization reported a reduction of 8% in Scope 3 Category 11 greenhouse gas emissions—derived from the use of its sold products—compared to a 2021 baseline, directly reflecting the market's successful uptake of more energy-efficient and eco-conscious cleaning technologies.

Concurrently, the Transition to Advanced Lithium-Ion Battery Power Sources is fundamentally altering fleet compositions by replacing fossil-fuel-dependent machinery with cleaner, electric alternatives. This trend is driven by the imperative to improve indoor air quality within terminals and reduce tarmac emissions, compelling airports to phase out diesel and LPG-powered units in favor of electrified ground support equipment. This electrification momentum is evident in major policy shifts at international hubs. According to Airports Council International - North America, December 2024, in the '2024 Environmental Achievement Award Winners' announcement, the Salt Lake City Department of Airports was recognized for mandating a 100% conversion to electric ground support equipment, underscoring the industry-wide commitment to eliminating combustion engine emissions from daily maintenance operations.

Segmental Insights

The Rubber Removal segment is identified as the fastest-growing category within the Global Airport Cleaning Machine Market due to critical safety mandates regarding runway maintenance. Aircraft tires deposit significant rubber layers upon landing, which reduces pavement friction and poses skidding risks. Consequently, regulatory bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enforce strict guidelines requiring airports to maintain specific friction levels. The increasing frequency of flight operations globally necessitates regular and efficient rubber removal to ensure compliance with these safety standards, thereby driving the accelerated demand for specialized cleaning machinery.

Regional Insights

North America leads the Global Airport Cleaning Machine Market due to the presence of numerous high-traffic international aviation hubs. This market position is reinforced by strict sanitation standards mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which compel airport operators to invest in reliable maintenance equipment. Furthermore, the frequent implementation of automated floor scrubbers and sweepers enhances operational efficiency across expansive terminal facilities. Consequently, the emphasis on regulatory compliance and consistent facility upkeep drives the continued demand for cleaning machinery throughout the region.

Recent Developments

• In April 2025, Tennant Company launched the X6 ROVR, a mid-sized autonomous floor scrubber engineered for large-scale and complex commercial environments. The new machine is designed to clean up to 75,000 square feet per cycle and utilizes an AI-driven autonomy platform to navigate dynamic real-world spaces efficiently. This product launch aims to address critical labor shortages by automating routine floor care tasks in expansive facilities, allowing cleaning teams to focus on higher-value activities. The unit also features an optional docking station that enables autonomous recharging to minimize manual intervention and maximize operational productivity.
• In October 2024, Gausium collaborated with Da Nang International Airport and a local facility services provider to deploy a fleet of autonomous cleaning robots at the Vietnamese aviation hub. The deployment included multiple models such as the Vacuum 40 and Scrubber 50, which were tasked with maintaining hygiene standards in public and internal boarding areas. This initiative marked a significant modernization of the airport's cleaning operations, aiming to reduce dependency on manual labor and ensure consistent cleanliness for passengers. The partnership highlights the growing integration of robotic solutions in the aviation sector to enhance operational efficiency and brand image.
• In July 2024, SoftBank Robotics America entered into a strategic partnership with Flagship Facility Services to implement a large-scale autonomous cleaning program at a major airport in the United States. The collaboration involved the deployment of 30 autonomous floor scrubbers and vacuums at a single site to support janitorial operations. These collaborative robots, or "cobots," were introduced to handle repetitive cleaning tasks, thereby improving the overall efficiency and frequency of floor care within the terminal. This initiative represents one of the largest single-site deployments of cleaning robotics in the airport industry, underscoring a commitment to innovation and passenger experience.
• In April 2024, Avidbots announced the launch of Kas, a fully autonomous floor scrubber specifically designed to navigate tight and dynamic spaces in commercial sectors such as transportation and retail. The new robot features advanced obstacle avoidance technology and a compact form factor, enabling it to clean effectively around people and objects in congested areas. Kas was developed to complement the company’s larger autonomous units, providing a comprehensive cleaning solution for facilities with varying spatial constraints. This launch addresses the industry's need for versatile automated equipment capable of maintaining hygiene in high-traffic environments like airport terminals and transit hubs.

Key Market Players

• Hako GmbH
• Wihuri Oy
• Bucher Municipal AG
• Nilfisk A/S
• VERMOP GmbH
• Schmitz Cargobull AG
• Tennant Company
• Fimap S.p.A.
• Dulevo International

By Type	By Application	By Region
Truck-Mounted Walk-Behind	Surface Cleaning Rubber Removal Paint Removal Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Airport Cleaning Machine Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Airport Cleaning Machine Market , By Type:

• Truck-Mounted
• Walk-Behind

• Airport Cleaning Machine Market , By Application:

• Surface Cleaning
• Rubber Removal
• Paint Removal
• Others

• Airport Cleaning Machine Market , By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE