The UK has shown a “strong performance” in ground support activity in the first half of 2025, according to data via Targa Telematics.
The company said activity hours increased 11% and the number of active service vehicles rose 13% compared to the same period last year.
These figures place the UK “well ahead of the global average” of 7% and 14% increases respectively, Targa Telematics said.
The Targa Telematics Observatory analyses data from connected airport service vehicles (GSE), including passenger buses, towing tractors, luggage carts, loading/unloading vehicles and ground power units.
The company has over 4 million connected assets under management worldwide, including vehicles from short and long-term rental fleets, leasing companies, professional and construction vehicles, as well as GSE.
Across Europe, airport ground operations also saw a notable uplift.
During the Easter travel period, activity rose by an average of 13%, compared to the UK’s much steeper spikes of 47.3% on Thursday 17 April and 42.9% on Friday 18 April.
Looking at the first half of the year overall, Europe recorded a 13.67% increase in activity hours and 12% growth in active vehicles, underlining a continent-wide recovery, with the UK closely aligned, yet still outperforming global trends.
As travel demand continues to rebound and airport operators optimise their ground support strategies, the UK’s growth signals both near-term resilience and long-term opportunity for the aviation sector, said Targa Telematics.
