The airport biometric service market is undergoing a transformative surge, with projections indicating it will surpass a 19 per cent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) by 2037. This robust expansion underscores the airport sector’s shift towards advanced security protocols, operational efficiency, and seamless passenger experiences backed by biometric technologies.

Market size and growth outlook

Recent industry analyses highlight remarkable momentum in the global airport biometric service market:

  • The market was valued at approximately €22 billion in 2023.
  • It is forecast to reach at least €111 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of about 17.3 per cent from 2024 to 2033, with other projections approaching similar exponential growth rates through 2037.
  • The pace is expected to sustain or accelerate, with select segments (such as contactless modalities and facial recognition) driving much of the anticipated 19 per cent plus Compound Annual Growth Rate through 2037.
Key growth drivers
  • Rising security demands  The proliferation of biometric systems is closely tied to the need for stringent security checks, faster and more accurate identity verification, and prevention of fraudulent activities. Governments and regulatory bodies have begun mandating the adoption of biometrics to enhance airport and border security.
  • Contactless travel and passenger convenience  The pandemic accelerated global interest in contactless biometric authentication. Airports are rapidly deploying facial and iris recognition, touchless fingerprint and palm scanning, and automated e-gates to minimise physical touchpoints and reduce waiting times.
  • Smart airport and automation initiatives  Investments in intelligent airport infrastructures, featuring self-service biometric kiosks and integrated digital identity platforms, enable airports to handle growing passenger volumes without compromising throughput or safety.
  • Governmental and airline adoption  Initiatives such as the deployment of biometric self-boarding by major airlines and large-scale biometric projects (for example, at Zayed International Airport or by Delta Air Lines in US airports) testify to rising institutional commitment.
Market segmentation and technology trends
  • Facial recognition  Projected to command 46.1 per cent market share by 2035–2037, with rapid adoption for seamless check-in, security, and boarding.
  • Contactless devices  Fastest-growing segment with strong hygiene and efficiency advantages.

“Governments and regulatory bodies have begun mandating the adoption of biometrics to enhance airport and border security”

Geographic insights
  • North America  Remains the dominant region, accounting for more than 63 per cent of projected market share by 2037 due to rapid adoption, high security investment, and robust regulatory frameworks.
  • Asia-Pacific  Anticipated to witness the fastest growth, propelled by soaring air traffic, infrastructure modernisation, and active government sponsorship of innovative travel solutions.
  • Europe  Progressing with sophisticated deployments, especially in major airports, partnering with global technology vendors for integrated biometrics.
Challenges in adoption
  • Data privacy and security  In regions like Europe, stringent data protection regulations (for example, GDPR) impose rigorous demands on how biometric data is collected, processed, and stored. These laws aim to protect individual privacy, but can lead to slower or more complex implementation if organisations are not fully prepared to meet compliance standards.
  • Passenger acceptance  Despite growing technological maturity, there is a persistent degree of public scepticism and resistance in some regions regarding biometric data use, often rooted in concerns about surveillance, discriminatory biases, or fear of data breaches. Passenger education, transparency about data usage, and strong security assurances will remain essential to drive widespread acceptance and trust in biometric airport solutions.

The combined effect of these geographic and regulatory dynamics will shape the pace of adoption and the effectiveness of biometric security solutions worldwide in airports.

Future prospects

The market’s fast pace indicates:

  • Continuous rollouts of new biometric-enabled services worldwide.
  • Strategic partnerships between technology vendors, governments, and airport operators.
  • Ongoing enhancements in accuracy, speed, and user experience, ultimately transforming the airport journey into a more secure, frictionless, and digitally integrated process.

For stakeholders in aviation, travel technology, and security, the next decade will present immense opportunities as airport biometric service becomes central to the global aviation ecosystem.