Airport Passenger Screening Systems Market Segmented By Type (Metal Detectors, Full Body Scanners, and Advanced Imaging Technology), By Airport Type (International Airport and Domestic Airport), By Region, By Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 4.28 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.84%
Fastest Growing Segment	International Airport
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 6.73 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Airport Passenger Screening Systems Market will grow from USD 4.28 Billion in 2025 to USD 6.73 Billion by 2031 at a 7.84% CAGR. The Global Airport Passenger Screening Systems Market encompasses technologies such as millimeter wave scanners and X-ray machines utilized to inspect travelers and carry-on baggage for potential threats. The market is primarily driven by the rapid recovery in global air traffic which necessitates faster processing capabilities to manage volume. Additionally, persistent geopolitical security risks compel airport authorities to modernize legacy infrastructure to meet rigorous international aviation safety standards.

However, the substantial capital expenditure required for acquiring these systems presents a barrier to expansion, especially for regional hubs with restricted budgets. This financial constraint is often exacerbated by the operational costs associated with specialized staff training and system maintenance. To contextualize the operational pressure driving these upgrades, data indicates a robust return to high traffic volumes. According to the International Air Transport Association, in 2024, total global passenger demand measured in revenue passenger kilometers increased by 10.4 percent compared to the previous year. This surge highlights the critical necessity for efficient screening solutions to accommodate growing traveler numbers.

Key Market Drivers

The primary catalyst propelling the market is the relentless surge in global air passenger traffic, which places immense pressure on existing airport security checkpoints to maximize throughput without compromising safety. As traveler volumes exceed pre-pandemic levels, airports are compelled to replace legacy screening infrastructure with automated, high-speed systems capable of processing passengers and baggage more efficiently. This escalation in density creates a bottleneck effect that drives the procurement of advanced tray return systems and automated lanes to mitigate long wait times. The urgency of this demand is evident in recent traffic figures. According to Airports Council International (ACI) World, April 2025, in the 'Preliminary World Airport Traffic Report', global passenger volume reached approximately 9.5 billion in 2024, marking a 9 percent increase year-on-year.

Simultaneously, the market is being reshaped by significant investments in airport infrastructure modernization, specifically the accelerated adoption of biometric and AI-powered screening technologies to ensure seamless passenger flow. Authorities are heavily funding the transition to contactless corridors and Computed Tomography (CT) scanners that eliminate the need for passengers to remove electronics or liquids, thereby reducing divestiture time. This modernization drive is financially substantiated by increased technological budgets across the sector. According to SITA, February 2025, in the '2024 Air Transport IT Insights' report, total IT spending by airports was estimated to reach nearly $9 billion in 2024 to support these digital transformations. Furthermore, highlighting the scale of government commitment to upgrading security architecture, according to ExecutiveGov, in 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security unveiled a $1 billion investment specifically to modernize aviation security technology across national airports.

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Key Market Challenges

The substantial capital expenditure and ongoing operational costs required for advanced screening technologies constitute a significant challenge restricting the growth of the Global Airport Passenger Screening Systems Market. While modern systems offer enhanced security, the sheer magnitude of the initial investment creates a barrier to entry, particularly for regional hubs and smaller airports operating on tight financial margins. This economic constraint forces many facility operators to extend the lifecycle of legacy equipment rather than procuring newer, more efficient solutions, effectively shrinking the immediate addressable market for manufacturers.

The financial pressure on these entities is further intensified by the recurrent costs associated with specialized training and system upkeep, which depletes budgets available for new acquisitions. This fiscal strain is substantiated by recent financial data indicating that airports are facing elevated debt burdens that limit discretionary infrastructure spending. According to Airports Council International (ACI) World, in 2023, the airport industry incurred capital costs of $40 billion, a figure that rose by 4 percent from the previous year largely due to increased interest expenses. This rising cost of capital directly reduces the liquidity airports require to invest in next-generation screening infrastructure, thereby dampening overall market momentum.

Key Market Trends

The Emergence of Self-Service Passenger Security Screening Checkpoints is fundamentally altering the operational dynamics of airport terminals by shifting the screening process from a staff-dependent model to a passenger-centric autonomous system. Unlike traditional automated lanes that merely expedite tray return, these next-generation checkpoints integrate intuitive user interfaces and automated feedback mechanisms, allowing travelers to scan themselves and their belongings at their own pace. This decentralization addresses the critical labor shortages faced by operators while significantly enhancing the passenger experience through reduced physical interaction with security personnel. The growing demand for such autonomy is evident in recent traveler sentiment data. According to SITA, October 2025, in the 'Passenger IT Insights 2025' report, over 60 percent of travelers indicated a preference for using digital, self-service checkpoints over traditional staffed counters if given the option.

Simultaneously, the Development of Digital Travel Credentials (DTC) for Identity Verification is establishing a new standard for interoperable border control, moving beyond proprietary biometric corridors to standardized, mobile-based identity assets. This trend represents the virtualization of physical passports into secure credentials stored on personal devices, enabling a "wallet-centric" approach where passengers share verification data ahead of arrival. This evolution decouples identity checks from fixed physical infrastructure, allowing for more flexible and scalable verification zones that alleviate congestion in limited terminal spaces. The industry-wide push for this technology aligns with shifting consumer behavior regarding digital management of travel documents. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), November 2025, in the '2025 Global Passenger Survey', 78 percent of passengers expressed a desire to utilize a smartphone-integrated digital wallet for identity verification and airport navigation.

Segmental Insights

The International Airport segment represents the fastest-growing category within the Global Airport Passenger Screening Systems Market. This accelerated growth is primarily driven by a surge in cross-border passenger traffic and the subsequent expansion of international terminal infrastructure globally. Additionally, strict security directives from regulatory bodies like the Transportation Security Administration and the European Civil Aviation Conference compel major aviation hubs to upgrade their screening capabilities. These institutions enforce rigorous detection standards for international flights, necessitating the deployment of computed tomography and body scanning solutions to enhance security compliance and operational throughput.

Regional Insights

North America maintains the leading position in the Global Airport Passenger Screening Systems Market due to stringent security mandates enforced by the Transportation Security Administration. The region prioritizes the adoption of compliant screening technologies to manage high passenger volumes effectively while adhering to strict safety protocols. Specific government initiatives focused on modernizing airport infrastructure across the United States and Canada further support this dominance. Additionally, the continuous requirement to upgrade checkpoint facilities to mitigate potential threats drives the consistent demand for screening solutions within the region.

Recent Developments

• In April 2025, Rohde & Schwarz received approval from the European Civil Aviation Conference for its QPS Walk2000 security scanner, establishing it as the first approved walk-through millimeter-wave system for aviation use. This regulatory milestone allows the company to deploy the technology at European airports, enabling passengers to undergo security screening without stopping or removing outer clothing. The system utilizes advanced imaging algorithms to detect concealed threats on individuals moving at a natural pace through the checkpoint. This product launch addresses the industry's need for high-throughput solutions that improve the passenger experience by reducing queue times and eliminating the need for intrusive pauses during screening.
• In January 2025, Leidos secured a follow-on contract valued at approximately $2.6 billion from the Transportation Security Administration to provide integrated logistics support for airport security equipment. The agreement tasks the company with the sustainment and maintenance of over 12,000 pieces of screening technology deployed at more than 430 federalized airports. Responsibilities under the contract include supply chain management, corrective maintenance, and the oversight of the agency's service response center. This collaboration ensures that the diverse array of passenger and baggage screening systems remains fully operational to meet the demands of increasing air travel volumes.
• In October 2024, Smiths Detection was awarded a major seven-year contract by the Transportation Security Administration to provide comprehensive maintenance for hold baggage inspection systems across the United States. Under this agreement, the company is responsible for the preventative and corrective maintenance of its deployed fleet of explosive detection systems, including the CTX 9800 and CTX 5800 series scanners. This contract supports the federal agency's integrated logistics support requirements and ensures the continued operational readiness of critical baggage screening infrastructure at hundreds of airports. The deal reinforces the company's position as a primary service provider for the nation's aviation security technology.
• In March 2024, the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate launched a prototype self-service screening system at Harry Reid International Airport. The pilot program utilized technology developed by Vanderlande and Micro-X to enable a screening process similar to self-checkout kiosks found in retail environments. This system integrated automated carry-on bag conveyance with a video-assisted passenger interface, allowing trusted travelers to complete security checks with minimal intervention from officers. This deployment marked a significant step in the companies' collaborative efforts to develop and test scalable self-screening architectures designed to enhance passenger autonomy and checkpoint throughput.

Key Market Players

• OSI Systems, Inc.
• Analogic Corporation
• C.E.I.A. S.p.A.
• Agilent Technologies Inc.
• Vanderlande Industries
• Nuctech Company Limited
• Kromek Group plc
• L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
• Vanderlande Industries B.V.
• Leidos Holdings Inc.

By Type	By Airport Type	By Region
Metal Detectors Full Body Scanners Advanced Imaging Technology	International Airport and Domestic Airport	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Airport Passenger Screening Systems Market, By Type:

• Metal Detectors
• Full Body Scanners
• Advanced Imaging Technology

• Airport Passenger Screening Systems Market, By Airport Type:

• International Airport and Domestic Airport

• Airport Passenger Screening Systems 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