Report Overview

India Ground Handling Services Market – Industry Trends & Forecast Report, 2031

India Ground Handling Services Market size was estimated at USD 1.83 billion in 2024. During the forecast period between 2025 and 2031, India Ground Handling Services Market size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.12% reaching a value of USD 2.78 billion by 2031. Prominent drivers of the market include the rapid increase in air passenger and cargo traffic, ongoing modernization of airport infrastructure, and growing international investments. The market covers essential ground operations such as baggage handling, aircraft maintenance, and catering services, which are vital for smooth airport functioning. Rising demand for air travel, driven by India's expanding middle class and supported by ICAO's projected 4.2% annual global passenger growth, is significantly fueling the sector’s expansion. Government initiatives like the UDAN scheme and Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) are improving regional access and enhancing service coverage. Major airports in cities like Delhi and Hyderabad are undergoing substantial upgrades to manage higher freight volumes, boosting demand for efficient ground handling. Moreover, favorable policies promoting airport privatization and increased participation from global players, including AIASL, are enhancing operational capabilities through the use of advanced ground support equipment and digital technologies. The adoption of IoT-based solutions and anti-collision systems is also improving safety and minimizing downtime, contributing to the growing efficiency and reliability of ground handling operations across India's aviation ecosystem.

Ground Handling Services – Overview

Ground handling services refer to a range of essential operations performed at airports to support aircraft during arrival, turnaround, and departure. These services include baggage handling, aircraft cleaning, refueling, catering, cargo and mail handling, passenger check-in, and ramp services such as towing and pushback. Efficient ground handling ensures quick turnaround times, safety, and smooth airport operations, playing a crucial role in overall airline performance and passenger satisfaction.

India Ground Handling Services Market

Growth Drivers

Government’s Supportive Initiatives

The government of India has played a crucial role in driving growth in the ground handling services market through progressive and supportive policies. By allowing domestic and foreign airlines to undertake self-handling operations, the government has introduced greater flexibility and competition in passenger and baggage handling at airports. Initiatives like the Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN) have further expanded air connectivity, especially to underserved and remote regions, making air travel more accessible and affordable for the common citizen. The Ministry of Civil Aviation’s revised policies also emphasize certified ground handling agencies, ensuring safety, security, and operational efficiency across airports. These efforts have created an enabling ecosystem that promotes professionalism and scalability in ground handling services, supporting the overall growth of India’s booming civil aviation sector.

Challenges

Labor Challenges

Labor challenges pose a significant challenge for the growth of India Ground Handling Services Market. Issues such as shortage of skilled and certified personnel, reliance on non-certified labor, and frequent labor disputes affect operational efficiency and safety standards at airports. These challenges lead to delays, increased costs, and security risks, hindering seamless ground handling operations. Additionally, the transition to certified manpower as mandated by government policies faces resistance, slowing the professionalization of the sector and limiting market expansion. Addressing labor challenges is critical to ensuring sustainable growth and improved service quality in the industry.

Impact of Escalating Geopolitical Tensions on India Ground Handling Services Market

Escalating geopolitical tensions can significantly impact India's Ground Handling Services Market by disrupting international air travel and trade routes, leading to reduced flight operations and cargo movements. Heightened tensions often result in stricter security protocols and regulatory challenges, increasing operational costs and causing delays. Airlines may reroute or reduce services to affected regions, lowering demand for ground handling services. Additionally, geopolitical instability can deter foreign investment and partnerships critical for market growth. These factors collectively restrain the expansion of India’s ground handling sector, emphasizing the need for strategic risk management and adaptive policies to sustain industry resilience amid global uncertainties.

India Ground Handling Services Market

Segmental Coverage

India Ground Handling Services Market – By Service Type

Based on service type, India Ground Handling Services Market is divided into Passenger Handling, Ramp Handling, Cargo Handling, Baggage Handling, Aircraft Handling & Cleaning, Mail Handling, and other service types segments. The passenger handling segment holds the highest share in India Ground Handling Services Market by service type. Passenger handling systems encompass equipment such as boarding staircases, jet bridges, buses, and catering trucks that assist passengers during boarding and de-boarding, as well as the loading and unloading of food and beverages for both passengers and crew. Major airports increasingly utilize passenger boarding bridges, which offer quicker and more efficient boarding compared to traditional movable staircases. The surge in airport investments aimed at expanding passenger handling capacity is encouraging ground handling companies and airlines to enhance their fleets of such equipment. This trend is anticipated to significantly propel the growth of the passenger handling segment in the coming years.

India Ground Handling Services Market – By Airport Type

India Ground Handling Services Market by airport type is bifurcated into International Airports and Domestic Airports segments.

India Ground Handling Services Market – By Ownership

On the basis of ownership, India Ground Handling Services Market is segmented into Airline-Owned, Airport Authority-Owned, and Third-Party Ground Handling Providers segments.

India Ground Handling Services Market – By Region

The in-depth research report on India Ground Handling Services Market covers the market in the country’s major regions: North India, South India, East India, and West India regions. North India holds a significant market share in India Ground Handling Services Market, primarily driven by airports in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. West India closely follows with a number of international and domestic airports across Maharashtra (mainly in Mumbai) and Gujarat.

Competitive Landscape

Major players operating in India Ground Handling Services Market include SATS Ltd, GMR Group, Air India Air Transport Services Limited (AIATSL), Bird Worldwide Flight Services Pvt Ltd, JV India Ground Services Pvt. Ltd (JVIGS), Swissport International Ltd, APL Logistics Ltd, and IndiGo Ground Handling Services. To further enhance their market share, these companies employ various strategies, including mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, license agreements, and new product launches.

Recent Developments

• In May 2025 - Following the revocation of Celebi Airport Services India's security clearance due to national security concerns, companies like AIASL, Bird Worldwide Flight Services, and Indo Thai are onboarding Celebi’s staff to ensure uninterrupted airport operations.

• In April 2024 - Noida International Airport partnered with Bird Group for ground handling services at its upcoming Jewar facility. The agreement aims to deliver smooth operations and an enhanced passenger experience. Bird Group will provide a full range of ground handling services, using electric-powered equipment to support the airport’s sustainability goals.

Scope of the Report

By Service Type

• Passenger Handling

• Ramp Handling

• Cargo Handling

• Baggage Handling

• Aircraft Handling & Cleaning

• Mail Handling

• Others

By Airport Type

• International Airports

• Domestic Airports

By Ownership

• Airline-Owned

• Airport Authority-Owned

• Third-Party Ground Handling Providers

By Region

• North India

• South India

• East India

• West India

1. Research Framework
   1. Research Objective
   2. Product Overview
   3. Market Segmentation
2. Executive Summary
3. India Ground Handling Services Market Insights
   1. Industry Value Chain Analysis
   2. DROC Analysis
      1. Growth Drivers
         1. Rising Air Traffic
         2. Supportive Government Initiatives
         3. Foreign Direct Investment
      2. Restraints
         1. Labor Challenges
         2. Regulatory Hurdles
      3. Opportunities
         1. Infrastructure Development
         2. Sustainability Initiatives
      4. Challenges
         1. Intense Competition
         2. Economic Volatility
   3. Technological Advancements/Recent Developments
   4. Regulatory Framework
   5. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
      1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers
      2. Bargaining Power of Buyers
      3. Threat of New Entrants
      4. Threat of Substitutes
      5. Intensity of Rivalry
4. India Ground Handling Services Market: Marketing Strategies
5. India Ground Handling Services Market: Pricing Analysis
6. India Ground Handling Services Market Overview
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2031
      1. By Value (USD Million)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Service Type
         1. Passenger Handling
         2. Ramp Handling
         3. Cargo Handling
         4. Baggage Handling
         5. Aircraft Handling & Cleaning
         6. Mail Handling
         7. Others
      2. By Airport Type
         1. International Airports
         2. Domestic Airports
      3. By Ownership
         1. Airline-Owned
         2. Airport Authority-Owned
         3. Third-Party Ground Handling Providers
      4. By Region
         1. North India
         2. South India
         3. East India
         4. West India
7. North India Ground Handling Services Market
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2031
      1. By Value (USD Million)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Service Type
      2. By Airport Type
      3. By Ownership
8. South India Ground Handling Services Market
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2031
      1. By Value (USD Million)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Service Type
      2. By Airport Type
      3. By Ownership
9. East India Ground Handling Services Market
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2031
      1. By Value (USD Million)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Service Type
      2. By Airport Type
      3. By Ownership
10. West India Ground Handling Services Market
    1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2031
       1. By Value (USD Million)
    2. Market Share & Forecast
       1. By Service Type
       2. By Airport Type
       3. By Ownership
11. Competitive Landscape
    1. List of Key Players and Their Offerings
    2. India Ground Handling Services Company Market Share Analysis, 2024
    3. Competitive Benchmarking, By Operation Channel Parameters
    4. Key Strategic Development (Mergers, Acquisitions, Partnerships)
12. Impact of Escalating Geopolitical Tensions on India Ground Handling Services Market
13. Company Profiles (Company Overview, Financial Matrix, Competitive Landscape, Key Personnel, Key Competitors, Contact Address, Strategic Outlook, SWOT Analysis)
    1. SATS Ltd
    2. GMR Group
    3. Air India Air Transport Services Limited (AIATSL)
    4. Bird Worldwide Flight Services Pvt Ltd
    5. JV India Ground Services Pvt Ltd (JVIGS)
    6. Swissport International Ltd
    7. APL Logistics Ltd
    8. IndiGo Ground Handling Services
    9. Other Prominent Players
14. Key Strategic Recommendations
15. Research Methodology
    1. Qualitative Research
       1. Primary & Secondary Research
    2. Quantitative Research
    3. Market Breakdown & Data Triangulation
       1. Secondary Research
       2. Primary Research
    4. Breakdown of Primary Research Respondents, By Region
    5. Assumption & Limitation

*Financial information of non-listed companies will be provided as per availability

**The segmentation and the companies are subjected to modifications based on in-depth secondary for the final deliverable

List of Figures

Figure 1       India Ground Handling Services Market Segmentation

Figure 2       India Ground Handling Services Market Value Chain Analysis

Figure 3       Company Market Share Analysis, 2024

Figure 4       India Ground Handling Services Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2031

Figure 5       India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Service Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Figure 6       India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Airport Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Figure 7       India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Ownership, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Figure 8       India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Region, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Figure 9       North India Ground Handling Services Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2031

Figure 10     North India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Service Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Figure 11     North India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Airport Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Figure 12     North India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Ownership, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Figure 13     South India Ground Handling Services Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2031

Figure 14     South India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Service Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Figure 15     South India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Airport Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Figure 16     South India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Ownership, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Figure 17     East India Ground Handling Services Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2031

Figure 18     East India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Service Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Figure 19     East India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Airport Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Figure 20     East India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Ownership, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Figure 21     West India Ground Handling Services Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2031

Figure 22     West India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Service Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Figure 23     West India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Airport Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Figure 24     West India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Ownership, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

List of Tables      

Table 1        India Ground Handling Services Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2031

Table 2        India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Service Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 3        India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Airport Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 4        India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Ownership, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 5        India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Region, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 6        North India Ground Handling Services Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2031

Table 7        North India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Service Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 8        North India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Airport Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 9        North India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Ownership, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 10      South India Ground Handling Services Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2031

Table 11      South India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Service Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 12      South India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Airport Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 13      South India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Ownership, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 14      East India Ground Handling Services Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2031

Table 15      East India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Service Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 16      East India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Airport Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 17      East India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Ownership, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 18      West India Ground Handling Services Market Size, By Value (USD Million), 2019–2031

Table 19      West India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Service Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 20      West India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Airport Type, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 21      West India Ground Handling Services Market Share, By Ownership, By Value (USD Million) 2019–2031

Table 22      SATS Ltd Company Overview

Table 23      SATS Ltd Financial Overview

Table 24      GMR Group Company Overview

Table 25      GMR Group Financial Overview

Table 26      Air India Air Transport Services Limited (AIATSL) Company Overview

Table 27      Air India Air Transport Services Limited (AIATSL) Financial Overview

Table 28      Bird Worldwide Flight Services Pvt Ltd Company Overview

Table 29      Bird Worldwide Flight Services Pvt Ltd Financial Overview

Table 30      JV India Ground Services Pvt Ltd (JVIGS) Company Overview

Table 31      JV India Ground Services Pvt Ltd (JVIGS) Financial Overview

Table 32      Swissport International Ltd Company Overview

Table 33      Swissport International Ltd Financial Overview

Table 34      APL Logistics Ltd Company Overview

Table 35      APL Logistics Ltd Financial Overview

Table 36      IndiGo Ground Handling Services Company Overview

Table 37      IndiGo Ground Handling Services Financial Overview