Passenger Security Market

Passenger Security Market Size

The global passenger security market was valued at USD 17.3 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.7% to reach USD 47.5 billion by 2034. The growth of the market is attributed to factors such as the rising global air passenger traffic coupled with the growing smart airport and infrastructure investments.

During the Trump administration, the imposition of tariffs on imports from China introduced notable cost pressures across sectors reliant on international supply chains, including the passenger security market. Key technologies such as biometric scanners, surveillance systems, and screening equipment—often incorporating components or subsystems manufactured in China—faced elevated procurement costs. This trade policy shift prompted strategic reassessments among U.S. security solution providers, who were compelled to absorb increased input costs or pass them on to airport operators and government agencies. The result was a measurable impact on budget planning, procurement cycles, and deployment timelines for infrastructure modernization projects, particularly those tied to smart airport development and passenger screening innovation.

The rising global air passenger traffic serves as a primary factor behind the growth of the passenger security market. For instance, In September 2023, the global air passenger traffic, measure in revenue passenger kilometre represented a growth of 40% compared to previous year, as stated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). With the increasing number of global passengers, particularly in emerging regions such as the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa is driven by the rapid expansion of middle class population, proliferation of low cost carriers, and increasing business and leisure travel, which require a proportional scaling of security measures. Furthermore, the growing number of passengers further raises the probability of threat and security breachers, which further supports the growth of market for enhanced threat detection, predictive behaviour analysis, and real time data processing and response systems.

The growing investments towards development of smart airport and infrastructure is another major growth driver for the growth for the passenger security market. Modern airports are integrating IoT, AI, cloud computing, and real time data analytics to streamline passenger handling, that requires real time surveillance, automated passenger authentication, and intelligent access control, making passenger security a foundational component. Moreover, several government infrastructure program such as Saudi Vision 2030, and India’s UDAN scheme, are further driving massive investments into airport modernization, which emphasizes towards the integration of advanced biometric screening, automated border control, and AI powered threat detection & surveillance systems, all of which supports market growth.

Passenger Security Market Trends

• The rapid adoption of automated screening lanes (ASLs) with computed tomography scanners, as their 3D imaging of carry-on bags among various airports is a significant trend in the market. These technologies ensure superior identity threats without opening bags, RFID tagging for bin tracking, automatic diversion of suspicious bags and speed up the screening process.
  
• The increasing usage of biometric authentication systems such as facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and iris recognition, for passenger identity verification, enhanced security, and reduced wait time is key trend in the passenger security market. Several major airports are rapidly integrating these biometric systems from check in to boarding to ensure enhanced security.
  
• Another significant trend in the passenger security industry is the rise of explosive detective systems with advanced technologies such as CT, X-ray diffraction, and AI for automated explosives detection in luggage and on passenger with superior accuracy. These advanced systems are often integrated with other security tools to ensure comprehensive threat detection.
  

Passenger Security Market Analysis

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Based on the solution, the passenger security market is bifurcated into hardware, software, and services.

• The hardware solution was the largest market and was valued at USD 10 billion in the year 2024. The rapid expansion of smart airport and security infrastructure has led to increasing procurement of advanced hardware systems such as full-body scanners, CT-based baggage screening machines, metal detectors, and biometric access control gates, to ensure enhanced security efficiency. Additionally, the increasing development of new airport terminals, rail hubs, and metro systems in emerging markets such as Asia, Middle East, and Africa has further fuelled the demand for hardware type solutions for ensuring compliance and risk mitigation from first day of operation.
  
• The software solution is the fastest growing market and is projected to grow with a CAGR of 12% during the forecast period. The increasing integration of AI and machine learning for behavioural analytics, facial recognition, and anomaly drives the growth of this segment for predictive and real time security management. Moreover, the rise in centralized security management platforms is further propelling the adoption of software suits that enables centralized video surveillance, incident management, and access control by improving response times and data-driven decision-making.

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Based on the security solution, the passenger security market is segmented into baggage inspection systems, explosive trace detectors, hand-held scanners, walk-through metal detectors, full-body scanners, perimeter intrusion detection systems, video management systems, access control/biometric systems, bar-coded boarding systems, cybersecurity solutions.

• The baggage inspection system was the largest market and was valued at USD 3.7 billion in the year 2024. The global surge in passenger traffic and airport congestion is pushing the growth of this segment, as baggage inspection system ensures high security standards, faster, and reliable inspection systems, while minimizing delays.  Furthermore, the advancement in technology has led to the shift from traditional x-ray machines to computed tomography (CT)-based scanners and dual-energy systems, which enables high-resolution, automated threat detection, and increases detection accuracy.
  
• The cybersecurity solution is the fastest growing market and is projected to grow with a CAGR of 18.4% during the forecast period. The growth in this segment is driven by the rapid digital transformation of airport security operations for surveillance, passenger processing, and access control, which is propelling the demand for robust cybersecurity solution to ensure protection of sensitive passenger data, surveillance feeds, and operational networks. Additionally, the rise in cyber threats, that targets airports and airlines by ransomware, phishing, and network intrusion attacks, coupled with increasing deployment of cloud and IoT systems is further fuelling the demand for the multi-layered cybersecurity solutions to ensure secure communication pathways, unauthorized access prevention, and system integrity.
  

Based on the airport type, the passenger security market is categorized into domestic, and international.

• The international airport was the largest market and was valued at USD 11.3 billion in the year 2024. The global surge in passenger volume and diverse threat landscape along with the increasing stringent security standards and cross border compliance set by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and national agencies are the major growth driver for this segment, which necessitates the deployment of high-standard screening systems, access control, and surveillance technologies. Moreover, the increasing usage of biometric and contactless solutions such as biometric identification, facial recognition, and e-passport verification systems to enhance passenger experience and global health & security compliance further propels the demand for both software and hardware scope of security market.
  
• The domestic airport is projected to grow with a CAGR of 9.7% during the forecast period. The growth of this segment is driven by the rise in regional and intra country air travel due to increased connectivity, government subsidies, and the rapid proliferation of low-cost carriers, which fuels the demand for localized and effective security solutions for high frequency and short duration flights. Furthermore, several smaller and regional airports are emphasizing towards affordable security upgrade, which fuels the demand for portable scanners, integrated surveillance systems, and cloud-based video management, all of which contribute to growth of this segment in the market.  

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• The U.S. dominated the market, accounting for USD 5.8 billion in the year 2024. This growth is significantly driven by the region’s emphasis towards counterterrorism and cyber security, which requires compliance with strict aviation protocols and integrating cybersecurity solutions into passenger security systems. Moreover, Several U.S. based firms are increasing emphasizing towards development of AI-driven surveillance, full-body scanners, and biometric access control systems. Furthermore, several large airports are rapidly deploying advanced biometrics, automated screening lanes, and facial recognition gates.  Also, the increasing investment from TSA and DHS further supports continual upgrades of screening and surveillance technologies at both international and domestic airports, which further contribute to market expansion. For instance, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have invested over USD 795 million in technologies for screening passengers at airport checkpoints, as stated by U.S. GAO.
  
• The Germany market accounted for USD 618.1 million in the year 2024. The implementation of EU aviation security compliance and ECAC security standards, which drives continuous modernization of screening and threat detection technologies is a major growth driver in the region. Also, the increasing emphasis towards sustainability-integrated infrastructure coupled with Data Privacy and Ethical AI, has led to increasing integration of privacy-compliant biometric and surveillance systems into airport expansion projects, which further drive market growth.
  
• The passenger security market in China is projected to reach USD 7 billion by the year 2034. Under the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the country is building dozens of new airports and upgrading existing ones, all equipped with advanced security frameworks, which is a major growth driver for market. Moreover, China leads in the deployment of facial recognition, behaviour analytics, and smart surveillance, including integration with social credit and ID systems. Additionally, the growing middle class and tourism sector has further led to increase in demand for secure, high capacity passenger handling, which drives market growth in the region.
  
• The Japan passenger security market accounted for USD 1 billion in 2024. The region’s emphasis towards robotics, AI, and facial recognition, to enhance security while maintaining efficiency at various airports such as Narita and Haneda airport is fuelling the market growth. Moreover, the increasing aging population and contactless processing demand is further propelling the demand for biometrics and smart gates to facilitate efficient travel for diverse age groups. Additionally, the growing collaboration among government and firms such as NEC and Hitachi is further encouraging R&D in security technologies.
  
• The India passenger security market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of over 11.4% during the forecast period. The strong domestic aviation growth along with the increasing connectivity to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities has fuelled the demand for scalable and cost effective security systems. Also, the implementation of several national programs such as UDAN and GAGAN schemes is further driving significant investment for new airport development and modernization, with the integration of cutting edge security systems. Furthermore, the Aadhaar-based biometric verification under the Digital India initiative is being rapidly adopted at major airports to ensure fast and secure passenger screening.
  

Passenger Security Market Share

The passenger security industry is highly competitive and fragmented with the presence of established global players as well as local players and startups. The top 5 companies in the global passenger security market are Bosch Limited, Honeywell International Inc., Siemens AG, OSI Systems Inc., and C.E.I.A. S.p.A., collectively accounting for a share of 40% market share. Leading companies in the market are investing in the next-generation passenger security systems solution, which prioritizes on lightweight and modular equipment designs, AI-powered surveillance & biometric-based access control, energy-efficient scanning systems, and compliance with international regulatory frameworks including FAA, ICAO, TSA, and EASA standards. Also, there is a growing emphasis towards miniaturized screening and surveillance modules designed for deployment in compact environments, such as urban air mobility (UAM) terminals, rail stations, and regional airports.

Furthermore, the innovation in market such as hybrid physical-cyber security platforms combining biometric, behavioural, and credential-based authentication, are gaining rapid popularity among manufacturers to ensure enhanced passenger throughput, fuel operational efficiency, and compliance with sustainability goals through eco-conscious security infrastructure. Additionally, several key application sectors such as commercial aviation, military & government transport hubs, and urban & unmanned systems are further increasingly prioritizing improved threat responsiveness, minimal disruption to passenger flow, and reliable emergency response integration, for both manned and unmanned environments.

Passenger Security Market Company

The passenger security industry features several prominent players, including:

• Analogic Corporation
• Bosch
• CEIA
• Garrett Metal Detectors
• Hart Security
• Honeywell
• ICTS International
• IDEMIA
• OSI Systems
• Siemens
• SITA
• Smith’s Group
  

Honeywell International leads the passenger security market by delivering a complete integrated security solution that works in complex transport centres. The company provides artificial intelligence surveillance in addition to cybersecure systems managed by unified platforms with smart visual docking capabilities.  The company also provides Pro-Watch Identity Management alongside early warning systems for fire, smoke and emergencies for enhanced passenger safety measures. Airport and transit authorities select Honeywell as their preferred security infrastructure provider because of its focus on resilient systems and efficient integration capabilities.

Bosch Limited stands out by combining high-precision vehicle safety technologies with smart infrastructure solutions for improved passenger safety. Their products include protective systems for passengers, telematics for vehicle crash detection in real-time, and emergency predictive braking. Bosch connects vehicles directly to emergency service centers which mitigates timing delays and enables better servicing after a crash. For instance, the company’s e-Call and telematics services connect vehicles directly to emergency services, reducing response times and improving post-crash outcomes.

Passenger Security Industry News

• In November 2024, SITA has declared the official integration of IPS (Intelligent Passenger Solutions) into its SITA Airports portfolio. Under a new name, ‘IPS a SITA company’, which will provide intelligent passenger solutions products such as self-service bag drop systems, kiosks, touchless scanners, printers, and other associated technologies. IPS a SITA company now sits alongside the airport operations, passenger processing, and baggage systems in a new gold standard.
  
• In November 2024, Fraport has partnered with Rohde & Schwarz to modernize the passenger security checkpoints at Frankfurt Airport. This contract entails the installation of more than 100 new scanners, specifically the R&S QPS201 scanner model, which offers effortless and streamlined processes that will minimize workload and enhance efficiency for both staff and passengers. The R&S QPS201 scanner meets all requirements concerning item restriction detection and boasts an extremely low rate of false alarms due to the Advanced scanning algorithms and millimeter-wave technologies incorporated into the device.
  
• In October 2023, Leidos has introduced their ProSight, an airport security management software that integrates several systems and technologies which were previously separate at security checkpoints including security screening equipment, threat detection algorithms, and various third-party data. ProSight is capable of delivering actionable data within real time through business intelligence dashboards, thus enabling airports and other organizations to improve their operational efficiencies alongside enhanced threat detection.
  

The passenger security market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue (USD Million) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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By Solution

• Hardware
• Software
• Services

By Security Solution

• Baggage inspection systems
  • Computed tomography
  • X-ray scanners 
• Explosive trace detectors
• Hand-held scanners
• Walk-through metal detectors
• Full-body scanners
• Perimeter intrusion detection systems
• Video management systems
• Access control/biometric systems
• Bar-coded boarding systems
• Cybersecurity solutions

By Airport Type

• Domestic
• International

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America 
  • U.S.
  • Canada 
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Netherlands 
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina 
• Middle East and Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE