Ground Support Equipment Tires Market Poised for Steady Growth Amid Expanding Global Air Traffic | US$ 1.79 Billion by 2032

 

Global aviation ground handling operations are driving an upturn in demand for specialized ground support equipment (GSE) tires. New analysis indicates that the global GSE tires market is expected to grow from an estimated US$1,281.2 million in 2025 to approximately US$1,790.8 million by 2032, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9 % over the forecast period. With global air passenger traffic exceeding 4.7 billion in 2024, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the surge in ground-handling activity is spurring increased demand for reliable, durable tire solutions across airport fleets.

Market Overview and Forecast

The global GSE tires market has entered a phase of steady, sustained growth thanks to multiple complementary market dynamics. The current market size of approximately US$1,281.2 million in 2025 reflects the elevated demand for ground support equipment tyres (GSE tires) across airports, airlines and third-party handlers. Over the forecast horizon to 2032, the market is projected to reach around US$1,790.8 million, reflecting a CAGR of 4.9 %. This growth is underpinned by the ramp-up in global air travel, increasing fleet sizes and aircraft movements, extensive investments in airport infrastructure and terminal expansion, and higher utilisation of ground support vehicles which drive frequent tire replacement cycles.

Key drivers of market growth include the expansion of passenger and cargo air traffic, which in turn intensifies the utilisation of push-back tractors, tow tractors, baggage carts, belt loaders, and other GSE requiring specialised tyre solutions. Additionally, airlines and airports are placing greater emphasis on reducing operational downtime, improving turnaround times and enhancing safety on tarmac operations — all of which elevate the need for high-performance, long-life tyres for supporting equipment. Moreover, the shift towards larger aircraft, heavier loads in cargo operations and enhanced ground handling throughput create specific demands for tires with greater load-bearing capability and durability.

Segmentation Analysis

By Type

The market for GSE tyres is segmented by tire construction and technology. Major categories include radial tyres, bias-ply tyres, solid rubber/foam-filled tyres and air-filled pneumatic tyres. Among these, radial tyres are increasingly dominant due to their superior wear life, lower rolling resistance and better traction in ground handling operations. The preference is shifting away from traditional bias tyres toward radial technologies. Meanwhile, solid and foam-filled tyres are gaining traction in applications demanding puncture resistance and low maintenance intervals, especially in high-traffic airport ramp environments.

By Vehicle/Product/Service Type

Segmenting by the vehicle or equipment type, GSE tyres serve a wide array of applications: push-back tractors, baggage tow tractors, belt loaders, cargo loaders, aircraft tugs, passenger boarding bridge tractors, ground power units, dollies and baggage carts. Among these, tyres for tow tractors and push-back equipment represent rapidly growing sub-segments owing to the increasing aircraft turnaround emphasis and adoption of heavier wide-body and freighter aircraft. These heavier loads and more frequent cycles require tyres with enhanced durability and load-carrying capacity. In addition, the rise of eGSE (electric ground support equipment) and more mechanised baggage/cargo handling systems is influencing tyre selection — OEM and replacement tyres are increasingly required to support higher duty cycles, heavier payloads and more rigorous service intervals.

By Propulsion/Technology/Channel

While tyre segments are less commonly broken down by propulsion mode, an emerging distinction is the channel by which tyres are supplied: OEM direct fitment vs aftermarket replacement. OEM channels dominate in new GSE procurement, while the aftermarket offers recurring revenue driven by tyre wear and replacement cycles. Increasingly, service contracts are linked with predictive maintenance or “smart tyre” monitoring solutions, creating a convergence of tyre hardware with digital services. This channel evolution is impacting the value proposition for tyre manufacturers and operators alike — efficient aftermarket services and integrated monitoring solutions are becoming important differentiators.

Regional Insights

The global GSE tyres market exhibits regional disparities shaped by airport infrastructure maturity, fleet expansion, and ground handling sophistication. North America and Europe currently hold leading positions due to high air traffic density, well-established airport networks and ongoing modernisation programmes. However, the fastest-growing region is Asia-Pacific, driven by rapid airport construction, increasing air passenger volumes (notably in China, India and Southeast Asia), and aggressive ground operations investment to support growth. Emerging airports in Middle East & Africa and Latin America also provide compelling growth prospects as airlines and handlers expand and upgrade ground fleets.

Asia-Pacific’s growth is strongly fuelled by government-led airport infrastructure investments, increasing connectivity, and the rising importance of cargo operations as e-commerce expands. These factors combine to create a higher growth trajectory for the region relative to more mature markets.

Unique Features and Innovations in the Market

Modern GSE tyres are not simply larger versions of standard industrial tyres: they incorporate specialised design and material science enhancements tailored to airport operations. Features such as reinforced steel belts, high-heat resistant compounds, low rolling resistance designs, and tread patterns engineered for mixed pavement (including ramp, apron and taxiway surfaces) differentiate these tyres from conventional industrial tyres.

Technological innovations are further enhancing the market. For example, integration of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors in tyre sidewalls allows real-time monitoring of tyre pressure, temperature, tread wear and remaining life. Predictive analytics driven by artificial intelligence (AI) help ground operations managers optimise replacement schedules, reduce unscheduled downtime and manage spare inventories more effectively. Furthermore, sustainability is becoming a key differentiator: manufacturers are increasingly using recycled rubbers, low-VOC compounds and offering retreadable GSE tyres to shorten life-cycle emissions and enable circular-economy benefits. Some manufacturers are also exploring smart-tyre platforms that interface with GSE fleet telematics via 5G networks to deliver live health-monitoring dashboards at high refresh-rates.

Market Highlights

Airlines, airports and handling providers are adopting advanced GSE tyres for multiple compelling reasons. First, the cost of ground operations disruption is significant: a tyre failure on a push-back tractor or belt loader can delay an aircraft departure, incur fines and impact turnaround metrics. As such, reliable tyres with extended wear life and predictable maintenance intervals offer clear operational cost savings. Second, regulatory and safety requirements are tightening: the aviation ecosystem increasingly emphasises ground-safety risks and requires robust tyres that meet standards for load rating, skimming resistance and heat build-up. Third, the drive for sustainability compels operators to reduce tyre waste, extend life cycles and choose retreadable or eco-friendly options. Fourth, cost reduction remains pivotal — tyres with lower rolling resistance reduce fuel consumption of GSE (especially electric units), while fewer punctures and longer life reduce operator labour and inventory costs. Collectively, these factors underscore why GSE tyres are emerging as an investment priority for ground support fleets globally.

Key Players and Competitive Landscape

The competitive landscape in the GSE tyres market is characterised by a mixture of global major tyre manufacturers and specialised niche suppliers. Leading companies include:

• Michelin: A global tyre giant offering a tailored portfolio of aircraft-ground-support tyres designed for fuel-efficiency, durability and operational uptime. Michelin’s GSE tyre range supports equipment such as tractors, tow vehicles and baggage handling fleets.
• Continental AG: Recognised for its strong engineering focus, Continental supplies high-performance GSE tyres and invests in digitalisation of tyre monitoring for airport ground fleets.
• Bridgestone Corporation: With a large global manufacturing footprint, Bridgestone addresses the GSE tyres market through product innovation and regional expansion, meeting demand in Asia-Pacific airports.
• Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company: While historically known for automotive tyres, Goodyear has been increasing its presence in speciality aviation-ground-equipment tyres and aftermarket services for airport fleets.
  Additionally, specialised suppliers such as Trelleborg AB offer dedicated GSE wheel and tyre systems optimised for airport handling conditions. These companies are adopting strategies such as product launches (for example, tyres with steel radial casings and stone-rejecting tread designs), partnerships with global ground-handling service providers, geographic expansion into emerging markets (notably Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Latin America), and offering digital-service bundles around predictive maintenance and tyre-health analytics. Together, these firms drive competitive intensity around product performance, lifecycle cost, sustainability credentials and service quality.

Future Opportunities and Growth Prospects

Looking ahead, the GSE tyres market offers several promising growth avenues. The migration of ground support equipment to electric propulsion (eGSE) presents a need for tyres optimised for higher torque, different load profiles and regenerative-braking behaviour. Similarly, airports increasingly adopting automation (autonomous tow tractors, robotic baggage handlers) will demand tyres with built-in sensor capability and network connectivity for integration with fleet-management systems. In addition, regulatory pressures — such as carbon-reduction commitments and stricter emissions standards — will spur demand for tyres offering lower rolling resistance, greater durability and end-of-life recyclability. Emerging markets in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa stand out as high-growth regions, driven by airport expansion, cargo-growth dynamics and increasing outsourcing of ground operations. For tyre manufacturers and service providers, the key will be to align product development, digital-service frameworks and sustainability programmes accordingly to capture these opportunities.