Airports embrace AI to manage growing global passenger traffic

As global air passenger traffic is forecast to hit 10.2 billion in 2026, a 3.9 percent year-on-year increase, investments have been pouring in to improve airport infrastructure and operational efficiency and use artificial intelligence to achieve it. Working with data released by Airport Council International, a irports are relying on the increasing use of AI to embrace the rise in demand. The use of AI-powered analytics to anticipate congestion at security, immigration and boarding points is also helping to prevent delays. Resources are being allocated to shift from reactive crowd management to predictive operations. AI-powered baggage optimisation tools and biometric processing - which would allow passengers to walk through immigration without the need to present a physical passport - are also gaining traction as airports seek to improve passenger experience while maintaining operational efficiency.