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Airport food pre-order market set to reach $5.2 billion by 2033
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Thursday, 08 January, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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The global Airport food pre-order market is poised for strong expansion, with its value expected to grow from $1.7 billion in 2024 to $5.2 billion by 2033, registering a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.2% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2033, according to Research Intelo. The growth is being driven by rapid digitalisation of airport services and a rising focus on passenger convenience across global aviation hubs.
Airport food pre-ordering allows travellers to browse menus, customise meals, and make digital payments before arriving at the airport, enabling quick pick-up or even gate-level delivery in select locations. This model is gaining traction as airports modernise operations and passengers increasingly seek time-saving, contactless, and personalised dining experiences. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this shift by reinforcing preferences for minimal physical interaction and hygienic food handling.
India, in particular, is emerging as a key growth market for airport food pre-ordering. With the country expected to handle over 400 million air passengers annually by 2030, airport food courts are witnessing heavy congestion during peak hours. Digital pre-order platforms offer a practical solution by reducing queues while improving service efficiency. The surge in mobile payments, UPI adoption, and familiarity with app-based food delivery has also made Indian travellers more receptive to pre-planned airport dining.
Major Indian airports such as Delhi IGI, Mumbai T2, Bengaluru Kempegowda, and Hyderabad RGIA are increasingly positioning themselves as lifestyle and retail destinations. For airport operators, pre-ordering not only enhances passenger satisfaction but also helps optimise food outlet operations and boost non-aeronautical revenues.
Key growth drivers include expanding domestic tourism, increasing numbers of frequent flyers, and the rise of smart airport ecosystems integrating self-order kiosks, QR-based menus, and AI-driven recommendations. Strategic partnerships between airports, food and beverage brands, and technology providers are further accelerating adoption.
However, challenges such as complex airport layouts, last-minute flight changes, limited outlet participation, and low passenger awareness continue to slow penetration in some regions.
Looking ahead, upcoming greenfield and redeveloped airports in India—such as Jewar, Navi Mumbai, and Pune—are expected to significantly boost the market. Features like dedicated digital pick-up zones, smart navigation, and real-time order tracking will make pre-ordering more seamless. By 2033, innovations such as gate-delivery services, nutrition-based menu recommendations, multilingual interfaces, and airline loyalty integrations are expected to define the future of airport food pre-ordering worldwide.
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