India Airport Baggage Market Overview, 2029

India’s airport baggage handling market is integral to the country’s expanding aviation sector, driven by rapid urbanization, increasing disposable incomes, and a growing middle class. The aviation industry in India has witnessed unprecedented growth in passenger traffic, bolstered by government initiatives such as UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik), which aims to make air travel accessible to the general population by connecting underserved airports. This surge in passenger volumes necessitates highly efficient baggage handling systems to ensure seamless operations and minimize delays. Historically, baggage handling in India relied heavily on manual operations, but the rapid modernization of airports, particularly in metropolitan and Tier-1 cities, has ushered in automated systems. Regulatory bodies such as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) have enforced strict operational and safety standards, compelling airports to adopt advanced technologies for baggage handling. Additionally, the privatisation of major airports like those in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru has accelerated the deployment of state-of-the-art baggage handling systems. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have played a pivotal role in attracting investment for upgrading airport infrastructure, with a focus on streamlining passenger and baggage flow. The Indian government’s commitment to sustainability and digital transformation further influences this market, with policies promoting the adoption of eco-friendly and smart technologies across airports nationwide.

According to the research report, "India Airport Baggage Market Outlook, 2029," published by Bonafide Research, the India Airport Baggage market is anticipated to add to more than USD 140 Million by 2024–29. Several market drivers contribute to this growth, including the increasing number of air travelers, airport expansion projects, and a surge in domestic and international airline operations. The rise of smart airports, characterized by the integration of IoT, artificial intelligence, and big data, is a defining trend in this market. Such technologies enhance operational efficiency by enabling predictive maintenance, real-time tracking, and automated decision-making. Additionally, growing environmental concerns have led to a demand for sustainable baggage handling solutions, pushing manufacturers to innovate with energy-efficient and recyclable materials. Key market players, including Siemens Logistics, Vanderlande, and Beumer Group, are investing heavily in research and development to offer cutting-edge solutions tailored to India’s dynamic requirements. Meanwhile, domestic players are gaining ground by providing cost-effective and region-specific technologies. Opportunities abound in smaller airports, where the need for scalable and modular baggage handling systems is rising. However, the market faces challenges such as high initial investment costs and the integration of new technologies with existing legacy systems, necessitating collaborative efforts between stakeholders.

India’s airport baggage handling market is segmented by type into Destination-Coded Vehicles (DCVs), conveyors, sorters, and self-bag drop (SBD) systems. DCVs are becoming increasingly popular at large airports due to their ability to transport baggage swiftly and accurately over long distances. These systems are particularly suited to sprawling airport layouts like Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. Conveyors, which form the backbone of most baggage handling systems, ensure smooth and efficient transportation of luggage between various checkpoints, including check-in counters, security screening areas, and boarding gates. Sorters, including tilt-tray and cross-belt types, are critical for managing high baggage volumes, ensuring that each piece reaches its correct destination with precision. Self-bag drop (SBD) systems are gaining traction as airports adopt passenger-centric approaches to reduce waiting times and enhance convenience. These systems, which allow passengers to check in their baggage independently, are particularly popular in metro cities where high passenger traffic necessitates automation. The segmentation by airport capacity highlights the scalability of these systems, catering to airports with annual traffic ranging from under 15 million passengers to over 40 million passengers. The customization of baggage handling systems based on airport size and traffic patterns ensures operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

The segmentation of the Indian airport baggage handling market by mode of operation includes automated and manual systems, reflecting the varying levels of technological adoption across airports. Automated systems dominate larger and more technologically advanced airports, driven by their ability to reduce human error, optimize baggage flow, and improve turnaround times. These systems are integrated with advanced software for real-time monitoring and predictive analytics, ensuring smooth operations even during peak hours. Manual systems, though less prominent, are still prevalent in smaller regional airports or those with lower passenger volumes. These systems provide a cost-effective solution while maintaining basic functionality. In terms of technology, barcode-based baggage tracking is the most commonly used method due to its affordability and widespread compatibility. However, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology is gaining traction for its superior tracking capabilities, offering real-time updates and improved accuracy. RFID systems are increasingly being adopted at major airports as part of their smart airport initiatives. Emerging technologies such as machine learning and AI are also being integrated into baggage handling systems to enhance predictive maintenance and operational efficiency. These technological advancements highlight the market’s evolution towards greater sophistication and reliability.

India’s airport baggage handling market is positioned as a critical enabler of the country’s aviation growth story. The combination of rising passenger volumes, airport expansions, and a push toward automation and sustainability ensures the market’s readiness to meet future challenges. The increasing adoption of advanced technologies and the growing emphasis on operational efficiency place India among the frontrunners in the global airport baggage handling industry. Strategic investments by global and domestic players, supported by robust government policies and PPPs, further reinforce the market’s growth potential. As India continues to modernize its airport infrastructure, the airport baggage handling market will remain a cornerstone of its aviation ecosystem, ensuring seamless connectivity and enhanced passenger experiences.




Considered in this report
• Geography: Global
• Historic Year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029

Aspects covered in this report
• Global Airport Baggage Handling Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Region & country wise Airport Baggage Handling market analysis
• Application wise Airport Baggage Handling distribution
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Type
• Destination-coded Vehicle (DCV)
• Conveyors
• Sorters
• Self-bag Drop (SBD)

By Airport Capacity
• Up to 15 million
• 15-25 million
• 25-40 million
• Above 40 million

By Mode of Operation
• Automated
• Manual

By Technology
• Barcode
• RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to agriculture industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.