Trends of Automation in Airport Apron Area: A Systematic Literature Review

In the rapidly evolving aviation sector, airports are pivotal as centers of infrastructure and economic activity. Despite advancements, the understanding of airport apron turnaround activities being developed for autonomous operations and their potential to transform key improvement areas remains limited. This study addresses these research gaps through a systematic literature review (SLR) of 23 selected articles from an initial pool of 425, focusing on advancements from 2019 to 2023. The results indicate considerable automation in labour-intensive tasks like baggage and passenger handling, leading to enhancements in safety, efficiency, and capacity. Nonetheless, a significant gap remains in research evaluating the cost-effectiveness of these technologies. This review provides important perspectives for decision-makers and enhances the strategic conversation regarding the implementation of autonomous systems in airport ground operations.