Apron Bus Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2024-2032)

Apron buses are used to commute people from the terminal to their intended aircraft prepared for traveling. These buses carry both air traffic and staff from one place in the airport to another. The market has witnessed a rapid surge in recent years due to the rise of the aviation industry, with a burgeoning middle-class population opting for air travel, both domestic and international. This phenomenon has stressed the need to expand aviation services through the purchase of a large number of aircraft as well as the rapid development of airports and newer runways, further promoting the need for apron buses to cater to air traffic.

The Global Apron Bus market was valued at USD 459.45 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a strong CAGR of around 10.11% during the forecast period (2024-2032). One of the key factors that have supported the demand for apron buses is the rise in the air travel infrastructure through the development of newer runways and airports. The increasing number of airports across the globe has also assisted the demand for newer apron buses to be purchased and used for air traffic commutes through the terminals to the intended aircraft. For instance, in 2024, The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), announced to invest USD289 million for 129 airports in 40 states of the US for improving the safety and efficiency of air travel. The investment is part of a mega USD 25 billion investment for funding the airport improvement through terminal expansion, baggage systems upgrade, runway enhancement, and air traffic infrastructure improvements.

In another instance, in 2024, the government of Portugal announced the construction of a mega airport, Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport, with a total cost of USD 10.64 billion.

Considering the expansion of air travel infrastructure on a mass scale the demand for apron buses in the respective projects is anticipated to fuel the demand for apron buses.

Additionally, many other fast-developing regions, such as China, India, Indonesia, the Middle East, etc., have also planned a high number of airports to be built in the coming years. These regions are experiencing the demand for air travel due to increasing disposable income as well as a surge in low-cost carrier operations, which is prominent. Considering the developments, the demand for the apron buses market is anticipated to exhibit remarkable growth in the forthcoming years, i.e., 2024-2032.

Based on type, the global apron bus market is bifurcated into electric and diesel. Of these, the diesel category has held the major market share due to its vast availability in older-generation airports. The diesel-based buses have long been used as apron buses for commuting purposes, and a vast number of diesel apron buses are still in operation, especially in regions such as Asia Pacific, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, etc. As the regulations for carbon emissions in the respective regions are getting stringent, the airports are slowly shifting towards a more sustainable alternative, i.e., electric apron buses. With the lower operational cost and zero tailpipe emissions, the demand for electric apron buses is anticipated to rise in the coming years.

Based on the application, the global Apron Bus market has been segmented into passenger transport and group traffic. Considering the rising number of air travelers across the globe, the passenger transport segment is anticipated to hold the major position among the segments. Additionally, the majority of the new aircraft being purchased by the leading aviation companies are targeted at easing air traffic mobility, which has surged due to the rising population in middle-income countries such as China, India, Thailand, Singapore, etc. With the high demand for easing the mobility from the terminals to the runways, the demand for apron buses is anticipated to increase further, strengthening the market position of the passenger transport segment in the coming years.

For a better understanding of the market adoption of Apron Bus, the Global Apron Bus market is analyzed based on its worldwide presence in regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Of these, the Asia Pacific region held the largest share in 2023. Asia pacific region caters to a large air traffic due to the massive air traffic rise opting for both domestic and international air travel. This surge has also been assisted due to the rising disposable income in the region. Many of the leading aviation companies in the region have also announced their plans to expand their existing fleet which would further support the demand for apron buses in the coming years.

Some of the major players operating in the market include Cobus Industries, Aeromobiles, and Bradshaw Electric Vehicles, Kiitikori Oy, Power Force Technologies, WeihaiGuangtai Airport Equipment, Zhengzhou Yutong Bus, XINFA Airport Equipment, CIMC Tinda, and BYD.