# Airport Digital Transformation: High Time to Invest in IT and Automation

**Publisher:** Roland Berger  
**Published:** 2025-05-08  
**Category:** Consulting & advisory  
**Type:** Study  
**Access:** Free  
**Official source:** https://www.rolandberger.com/en/Insights/Publications/Airport-digital-transformation-High-time-to-invest-in-IT-and-automation.html  
**Canonical:** https://tourismintel.ai/reports/airport-digital-transformation-high-time-to-invest-in-it-and-automation

## At a glance
- Global passenger numbers projected to double over next decade, pressuring airports to modernise operations and adopt digital tools.
- Over 90% of airport operators plan to increase IT investment in five years, yet fewer than half are satisfied with current innovation levels.
- Over 70% of executives view AI solutions as promising, but more than half remain in early adoption stages with low organisational readiness.
- Over 80% of respondents agree biometrics will play significant role in future, addressing labour shortages and improving passenger throughput.
- Automation now essential rather than optional; airports must adopt region-specific strategies and future-proof IT systems to bridge execution gap.

## What the report covers
Roland Berger's study examines digital transformation needs for global airport operators facing doubled passenger projections within ten years. Based on insights from 100 executives across the airport ecosystem, it assesses IT investment plans, technology adoption (AI, biometrics, automation), and readiness gaps. Published May 2025, the research targets airport operators, particularly Tier 1 and Tier 2 facilities, identifying barriers between strategic ambition and operational execution.

## Key findings
Airport operators globally demonstrate strong investment intent but face a critical execution gap. Over 90% plan to increase IT spending in the next five years, yet fewer than 50% express satisfaction with current airport IT innovation. This disconnect reveals significant modernisation opportunity and highlights barriers between strategic planning and delivery of digital initiatives.

Artificial intelligence is perceived as transformative across airport operations—predictive queue management, resource allocation, and baggage handling—with over 70% of surveyed executives deeming AI solutions promising or very promising. However, adoption remains nascent: more than half of organisations report being in early implementation stages, and very few have successfully integrated AI into core operations. Organisational readiness to scale remains substantially low.

Biometric technology emerges as a critical but underappreciated enabler of operational efficiency and passenger experience. Over 80% of respondents acknowledge biometrics will play a significant or very significant role in future airport operations. Beyond speed and convenience, biometrics address post-pandemic labour shortages and wage pressures by automating labour-intensive processes, allowing airports to maintain service levels while reducing operational costs.

Automation across airport functions—from self-service bag drops to AI-powered queue systems—is now essential infrastructure rather than optional enhancement. Nearly all respondents agree automation is crucial for the future. Yet moderate preparedness persists: many operators struggle to scale solutions effectively. Success requires rapid technology investment, regional strategy alignment, and adoption of systems designed for long-term flexibility and growth.

## Key numbers
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Projected growth in global passenger numbers | Double over next decade | Forecast; stated as context for modernisation pressure |
| Airport operators planning to increase IT investment in next five years | Over 90% | Survey finding; observed intent |
| Airport operators satisfied with current IT innovation levels | Fewer than 50% | Survey finding; satisfaction metric |
| Executives viewing AI-driven solutions as promising or very promising | Over 70% | Survey finding; perception of AI potential |
| Organisations in early stages of AI adoption | More than 50% | Survey finding; maturity assessment |
| Respondents agreeing biometrics will play significant or very significant role in future | Over 80% | Survey finding; perceived importance |
| Respondents agreeing automation is crucial for the future | Nearly all | Survey finding; strategic consensus |
| Survey sample size | 100 executives | Across airport ecosystem; base for all findings |

## Why it matters
**DMOs & destinations** — Airport capacity and passenger experience directly influence destination competitiveness and visitation. As passenger volumes double, airport modernisation becomes critical infrastructure for DMOs. Delayed investment risks congestion, reputational damage, and reduced visitor flows, affecting accommodation demand and ancillary tourism revenue streams dependent on smooth airport operations.

**Hotels & hospitality** — Airport efficiency determines guest arrival experience and satisfaction. Congestion, delays, and poor technology integration frustrate travellers before hotel check-in, affecting reviews and loyalty. Hotels benefit when airports automate processes and reduce queues; conversely, airport delays cascade into missed bookings, lower occupancy, and operational pressure on housekeeping and services dependent on predictable arrivals.

**Travel tech & distribution** — Airport digital infrastructure modernisation creates ecosystem opportunities for travel tech providers in queue management, biometric integration, and passenger flow data. Airports seeking future-proof systems require APIs, real-time information feeds, and digital touchpoints—areas where distribution platforms and travel-tech vendors add value through interoperability and passenger-centric solutions.

## Methodology and limits
Roland Berger conducted a survey of 100 executives across the airport ecosystem, capturing insights on IT investment intentions, technology adoption readiness, and perceived importance of emerging solutions. The study bases findings on respondent perceptions and strategic plans rather than operational metrics. Published May 2025, it provides directional intelligence on executive sentiment and priorities; the full report includes regional and airport-tier breakdowns not detailed in this public summary. Figures represent survey results, not audited operational data.

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© Roland Berger for the original report. This brief is an original editorial summary by TourismIntel (https://tourismintel.ai). Read the original: https://www.rolandberger.com/en/Insights/Publications/Airport-digital-transformation-High-time-to-invest-in-IT-and-automation.html