Moving Walkways Market

Moving Walkways Market Outlook (2025 to 2035)

The global moving walkways market is expected to reach USD 7.4 billion by 2035, up from USD 4.2 billion in 2024. During the forecast period, the industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1%, driven by increasing urbanization, technological advancements, and the expansion of infrastructure projects.

Moving walkways, also known as travelators, are widely used in airports, shopping malls, train stations, and other public areas to facilitate smooth passenger flow. Modern moving walkways are designed with advanced safety features, including emergency stop buttons, drive chain safety devices, and speed governors. Artificial intelligence is used to detect potential problems before they occur, hence lowering downtime and prolonging the equipment's lifespan.

Metric	Value
Industry Size (2025E)	USD 4.5 billion
Industry Value (2035F)	USD 7.4 billion
CAGR (2025 to 2035)	5.1%

What are the drivers of the Moving Walkways Market?

The moving walkways market is experiencing strong growth due to high-speed urbanization and the development of infrastructure projects, such as airports, shopping malls, and transit hubs, which require effective pedestrian transportation systems. Advances in technology, such as the integration of smart sensors and predictive maintenance systems, have improved the safety and efficiency of moving walkways, making them increasingly attractive for public and commercial applications.

The growing traffic in public areas, particularly in shopping centers and transportation hubs, also boosts the need for these systems to control high volumes of people. An emphasis on accessibility has prompted the integration of moving walkways in public facilities to help people with mobility issues. The expansion of the tourism and hospitality industries also helps drive the growth of the moving walkways market, as hotels and entertainment venues adapt to enhance guest convenience.

What are the regional trends of Moving Walkways Market?

The moving walkways market exhibits distinct regional trends influenced by urbanization, infrastructure development, and the strategic initiatives of key industry players.​

In Asia, rapid urbanization and significant infrastructure projects drive substantial demand. For instance, Japan's Fujitec has expanded its presence in India by establishing a second elevator plant near Chennai, which has been operational since February 2023, to cater to the growing South Asian market. Fujitec opened a sales office in Ahmedabad in April 2024, aiming to strengthen its footprint in western India and implement a multi-brand strategy.

In Europe, major companies are focusing on modernizing existing infrastructure and integrating advanced technologies into their products to meet the region's emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability.​

North America sees steady demand, particularly in airports and urban transit systems. Otis Elevator Company, headquartered in the United States, leverages its extensive service network to maintain a strong market presence.​

In the Middle East, rapid infrastructure development, particularly in countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, drives demand for moving walkways in airports and commercial complexes. Mitsubishi Electric, with a significant presence in the region, caters to this growing demand.

What are the challenges and restraining factors of the Market?

The market for moving walkways faces several issues that hamper its development and widespread adoption. Its cost of installation is quite exorbitant, posing the greatest challenge to its uptake, especially for low-cost projects, as the upfront expense required is rather significant.

Apart from installation, ongoing maintenance expenses over time contribute to the overall cost, as constant servicing is necessary for operational efficiency and passenger safety. Operational disruptions, such as technical faults or unexpected breakdowns, can result in passenger inconvenience and safety concerns, mandating effective monitoring systems and proactive maintenance strategies.

Rigorous safety standards set by regulatory agencies necessitate compliance, which could be costly and tend to hamper deployment schedules. In developing countries, there is typically limited adoption caused by fiscal restraints and other infrastructure priorities, where resources may be earmarked for more pressing requirements over the installation of moving walkways.

Space limitations in existing buildings may prevent the use of moving walkways, as retrofitting them into congested spaces can be challenging. Such challenges require smart planning, advances in technology, and cost-effective solutions to enhance the feasibility and popularity of moving walkways in various infrastructure projects.

Country Wise Insights

The United States moving walkways market is projected to register a CAGR of 5.1% over the forecast period

The United States' moving walkways market is poised to experience steady growth, driven by strong infrastructure investments and demographic shifts. Airport modernization is a key driver, with major terminals such as Los Angeles International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth, and JFK undergoing extensive expansion and renovation efforts.

These developments focus on increasing passenger mobility, which in turn facilitates the need for moving walkways. Yet another major growth driver is the population aging, which is enhancing demand for accessible facilities in public places. Moving walkways are increasingly being installed in not just airports, but also hospitals, convention centers, and transit systems, providing enhanced mobility and comfort.

Compliance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) regulations also fuels integration in public and private facilities. Commercial real estate development, particularly in mixed-use urban centers and high-traffic shopping malls, is contributing to wider market penetration. Developers are integrating people-mover systems as part of efforts to improve user experience and increase spatial efficiency.

China’s moving walkways market is volume-driven, infrastructure-heavy, and rapidly expanding

Driven by state-led urbanization and large-scale construction, China is investing heavily in new airports, high-speed rail stations, smart city developments, and mega commercial centers throughout its expanding Tier 1 to 3 cities. China is also undertaking projects such as the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, Xiong'an New Area, and transportation hubs in Chongqing and Wuhan, which reflect the government's vision for long-term infrastructure development.

Moving walkways are a key component of these massive complexes, designed to manage crowd flow, reduce transit times, and enhance the traveler experience. With over 200 new airports planned or underway by 2035, China represents the largest greenfield opportunity for suppliers of moving walkways.

China’s urban mobility policies, including the "15-minute city" concept and transit-oriented development (TOD), also support the integration of walkways in shopping arcades, office parks, and metro connections.

Japan is expected to hold a significant global share in the moving walkways industry

Japan's moving walkways industry is influenced by a highly urbanized and aging society, as well as a mature infrastructure base. Japan's super-aged population has a significant impact, driving demand for accessible mobility within rail networks, hospitals, airports, and public institutions.

Urban transit systems, such as those operated by JR East and Tokyo Metro, are integrating moving walkways to ease congestion and enhance station access, particularly in high-density underground stations. Accessibility is also a priority at the national level, as mandated by the "Barrier-Free Law", which requires changes to infrastructure to accommodate independent mobility for the elderly and people with disabilities.

Category-Wise Analysis

Exceptional strengths, durability, and handling capacity are key factors driving the adoption rate of pallet-moving walkway

Pallet-type moving walkways are the market leaders worldwide because of their exceptional strength, durability, and capacity to handle high volumes of passengers and luggage. Constructed with a solid, interlocking metal platform, these walkways offer superior performance in heavy-duty applications, such as airports, metro stations, and other public transportation terminals, where constant usage and safety are paramount.

Their low maintenance needs and long operating life make them an economic option for facility managers and infrastructure planners. Increased investment in airport infrastructure and urban mass transit systems is the major driver of growth for this segment. With increasing air travel worldwide, airport authorities are focusing on providing convenient passenger mobility, which is driving demand for pallet-type walkways even further.

Airport segment expected to hold a dominant share across applications over the forecast period

Airports remain the largest and most significant application sector in the international market for moving walkways. Such systems are essential for rationalizing passenger traffic across large terminals, particularly at international airports, where walking distances between gates, check-in counters, and baggage claims can be extensive and lengthy. With the growing international air travel, airport management is facing increasing pressure to enhance the travel experience of passengers by minimizing travel between terminals and improving mobility for travelers with disabilities.

The utilization of moving walkways not only reduces physical effort for passengers but also helps airport operators maintain effective crowd control, particularly during peak seasons. A rise in foreign air traffic, combined with ambitious airport development and modernization plans, is generating firm demand for walkway moving systems.

Inclined moving walkways are witnessing rising adoption, particularly in environments where traditional vertical transportation

Inclined moving walkways offer a special benefit, enabling smooth, uninterrupted movement between various floor levels. This makes them well-suited for shopping complexes, malls, multilevel transit centers, and city public spaces. Their compact, sloping structure accommodates flexible architectural design, particularly in high-density urban environments where maximizing available space is crucial. As modern cities continue to push toward vertical expansion and mixed-use developments, the need for adaptive transit methods, such as inclined walkways, is increasing.

Major drivers of growth include the expansion of urban megacities, the need for uninterrupted pedestrian movement in high-traffic retail spaces, and the integration of intelligent mobility systems into building structures.

Competitive Analysis

The global moving walkways market is highly competitive, with major players including TK Elevator, Schindler, Otis UK, KONE, Mitsubishi Electric, Hitachi Ltd, and Fujitec leading the space. These companies dominate the market due to their strong global presence, extensive product portfolios, and focus on smart mobility solutions.

TK Elevator and Schindler have a significant foothold in airport and transit hub projects, leveraging advanced safety features and energy-efficient systems. KONE and Otis are recognized for their durable, low-maintenance walkways, which are tailored for commercial infrastructure. Industry trends show a strong trend towards sustainability, with energy-efficient technologies becoming the norm. IoT integration for predictive maintenance and intelligent diagnostics is also on the increase, particularly in urban transit use cases.

Recent Development

• In February 2025, TK Elevator (TKE) and Alat, a Saudi PIF company, formed a USD 160 million joint venture to manufacture elevators, escalators, and moving walkways in Saudi Arabia, marking the first local production facility by a global company in this sector. As part of the deal, Alat will acquire a 15% stake in TKE, supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and regional infrastructure expansion. The JV will also establish a product development and training center, strengthening TKE’s presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing urban mobility markets. The transaction is expected to close by Q3 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.
• In February 2024, Schindler announced a strategic partnership with Hyundai Elevator to collaborate on smart mobility technologies, including moving walkways. The alliance aims to accelerate innovation and expand its market presence across Asia and Europe through joint research and development efforts.

Fact.MR has provided detailed information about the price points of key manufacturers in the moving walkways market, positioned across regions, including sales growth, production capacity, and speculative technological expansion, in the recently published report.

Methodology and Industry Tracking Approach

The 2025 report on the moving walkways market, released by Fact.MR, offers insights obtained from a survey that involved 8,400 stakeholders from 28 distinct countries. Each national market included at least 300 respondents. Among those surveyed, 62% were direct users or producers, such as airport planners, infrastructure developers, and commercial property managers. The other 38% made up industry practitioners, such as the operations heads, regulatory consultants and supply partners.

The scope of this survey included the period between June 2024 and May 2025, which allowed for the collection of data about investment processes, consumer needs, safety issues, and products demanded. They were all corrected in terms of regional weights and demographics. Additionally, the study examined over 250 reputable sources, including scientific journals, patent databases, compliance records, and financial statements.

Fact.MR employed statistical techniques, including regression models, for a more detailed analysis. Since 2018, Fact.MR has been diligently tracking trends and innovations in the moving walkways industry, making this report a reliable market reference.

Segmentation of Moving Walkways Market

• By Type :

  • Belt Type
  • Pallet Type

• By Application :

  • Public Transit
  • Airports
  • Retails
  • Institutional
  • Other

• By Installation :

  • Horizontal
  • Inclined

• By Speed :

  • Constant Moving Walkways
  • Accelerating Moving Walkways

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Western Europe
  • Eastern Europe
  • East Asia
  • South Asia Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa