The global market for Saab’s Situational Awareness for Flight Efficiency (SAFE) Tower System is expected to expand steadily over the next several years as airports and aviation authorities invest in advanced air traffic management technologies to accommodate growing flight volumes.
A newly released market analysis estimates the sector will increase from $1.54 billion in 2025 to $1.67 billion in 2026, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4%. The report forecasts the market will reach approximately $2.33 billion by 2030, with growth expected to continue at a CAGR of 8.7%.
Industry analysts attribute the market’s expansion to rising global air travel, ongoing airport modernization projects, and increasing adoption of digital air traffic control systems designed to improve operational efficiency and aviation safety.
The SAFE Tower System is designed to provide air traffic controllers with enhanced situational awareness by combining real-time surveillance data, sensor inputs, and visualization technologies into a unified operational platform. The system supports more efficient flight coordination, particularly at busy airports and remote tower operations where improved visibility can enhance decision-making.
Growing passenger demand continues to be a major factor supporting market growth. According to figures cited in the report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global passenger traffic increased by 10.4% in 2024 compared with the previous year, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. International travel recorded an even stronger increase of 13.6%, highlighting continued recovery and expansion across the aviation sector.
The report also identifies airport infrastructure investment as another important growth driver. Governments and airport operators are expanding runways, terminals, and supporting facilities to meet increasing travel demand while adopting digital technologies that improve aircraft movement and reduce congestion.
Recent infrastructure funding initiatives further illustrate this trend. The report notes that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allocated additional funding in 2024 to support dozens of airport improvement projects across multiple states, reinforcing demand for advanced air traffic management solutions.
Looking ahead, analysts expect greater adoption of remote and digital tower technologies, artificial intelligence-powered traffic management systems, predictive analytics, and automated air traffic control tools to shape future market development. Continued efforts to improve airport efficiency and standardize global aviation safety practices are also expected to contribute to long-term growth.
Regionally, North America accounted for the largest share of the market in 2025, supported by significant aviation infrastructure and technology investments. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region is projected to experience the fastest growth during the forecast period as air travel demand continues to rise and airports expand across emerging economies.
The report suggests that increasing investment in smart airport infrastructure and next-generation air traffic management technologies will continue to strengthen demand for advanced situational awareness systems in the years ahead.
