In this article, we will look at the 8 Best Airport Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds.
According to a research report published by Research and Markets, the Global Airport Operations Market was valued at $96.3 billion in 2024. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.06% to reach $125.8 billion by 2031. The report noted that this growth is driven by increased demand for seamless passenger experience, increased cargo volumes, and sustained investments towards modernization of airports.
On May 20, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of UISEE Technologies, Gansha Wu, appeared on a CNBC Television interview to discuss the company’s progress towards fully autonomous airports. The CEO expects airports to be fully autonomous by the next decade. UISEE Technologies is a Chinese autonomous driving company with the primary focus on creating technologies for airports and factories. The company recently made a debut in the Hong Kong market with a $111 million IPO. UISEE provides autonomous cargo towing, shoveling, and patrolling at Hong Kong airport.
Gansha Wu highlighted that the company’s technology has a very high safety record, in fact, much higher than human drivers. He noted that this safety has been achieved after a long research and development period, which started in 2018. The CEO highlighted that, as a result of years of effort, the company has now achieved more than 90% market share in the Airport segment of the Greater China market. Wu highlighted that the company has plans for global expansion and is also looking forward to pushing its technologies in the United States.
With that, let’s take a look at the 8 Best Airport Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds.
Our Methodology
To curate the list of 8 Best Airport Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds, we used the Finviz stock screener and Insider Monkey’s hedge fund database. Using the screener, we aggregated a list of airport stocks and ranked them in ascending order of the number of hedge fund holders. We have limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 498.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 303 percentage points (see more details here).
8 Best Airport Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds
8. Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte, S.A.B. de C.V. (NASDAQ:OMAB)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 8
Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte, S.A.B. de C.V. (NASDAQ:OMAB) is one of the Best Airport Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. On May 8, Citi upgraded Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte, S.A.B. de C.V. (NASDAQ:OMAB) from Neutral to Buy and kept the price target unchanged at MXN 270. The firm noted that the stock valuation has declined around 20% since its recent highs. Citi believes that the company can reach its traffic guidance despite higher fuel prices.
Earlier, on April 27, the company released its Q1 2026 results. During the quarter, the company reported a solid 4.7% year-over-year increase in total passenger traffic, with domestic traffic growing 5.7%. Management noted that the Monterrey Airport, which is a key hub, drove the most domestic traffic due to its routes to major cities.
As a result, the quarterly revenue came in at 3.3 billion MXN, up 4.1% year-over-year. The adjusted EBITDA was 2.4 billion MXN, reflecting 2.1% year-over-year increase. Looking ahead, management expects growth in the coming quarters driven by an increase in traffic volumes.
Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte, S.A.B. de C.V. is a Mexican holding company that operates and maintains concessions for over 10 airports across Mexico, serving major cities including Monterrey, tourist destinations like Acapulco and Mazatlán, regional centers, and border cities.
7. Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. (NYSE:ASR)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 10
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. (NYSE:ASR) is one of the Best Airport Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. On May 7, Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. (NYSE:ASR) reported passenger traffic results for April 2026. The company reported total passenger traffic of 6 million for April 2026, a modest decline of 0.7% compared to the same month last year.
Colombia was the standout performer and posted 5.6% growth overall. Moreover, both domestic and international traffic moved higher, up 5.9% and 4.7%, respectively. Mexico is the company’s core and largest market. However, Mexico was the primary drag during the month as the overall traffic fell 2.6%, with international routes down 3.3% and domestic routes down by 1.9%. In addition, Puerto Rico also declined with total traffic in the region falling by 2.2% during the month.
That said, the company reported Q1 2026 earnings on April 22. During the quarter, the company reported an 0.8% year-over-year increase in revenue to Ps. 8,858.0 million. This was mainly driven by an 11% increase in Colombian passenger traffic, driven by 7.7% and 12.1% in international and domestic traffic, respectively.
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S. A. B. de C. V. is a Mexican holding company that operates concessions for nine airports in southeastern Mexico (including the major tourist hub of Cancún) and 6 airports in Colombia. Its airports serve both domestic and international traffic, hosting around eight Mexican airlines and over 80 international carriers, including American and United Airlines.
6. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:PAC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 10
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:PAC) is one of the Best Airport Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. On May 7, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:PAC) announced that it has finalized its combination with Cross Border Xpress (CBX), marking a significant corporate milestone. The deal was formally completed through the notarization of a merger agreement originally signed on April 30, 2026.
Cross Border Xpress is a unique cross-border pedestrian bridge connecting a terminal in San Diego, California, directly to Tijuana International Airport. Management noted that it allows ticketed passengers to walk between the US and Mexico, bypassing traditional border crossing queues. It is a high-traffic, fee-generating facility that complements the company’s existing Tijuana airport operations.
As part of the transaction, the company also completed the purchase of the remaining 25% stake in CBX that it did not already own, bringing its total ownership to 100%. This gives it full control over the business and its future earnings.
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico SAB de CV, also known as GAP, is a leading Mexican airport operator that manages 12 airports across the Pacific region of the country. The airports serve cities, metropolitan areas, and tourist destinations in the region. The company also generates revenue from non-aeronautical activities including commercial services, car parking, shops, hotels, restaurants, food and beverage, and VIP lounges.
5. Corporación América Airports S.A. (NYSE:CAAP)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 13
Corporación América Airports S.A. (NYSE:CAAP) is one of the Best Airport Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. On May 13, Corporación América Airports S.A. (NYSE:CAAP) delivered strong first-quarter results driven by broad-based growth across traffic, revenue, and profitability metrics.
During the quarter, the company reported 7% year-over-year passenger traffic growth to 21.8 million. This was led by a 14% increase in international passengers. Moreover, the cargo volumes also improved 1.7% to 95.2 thousand tons, and aircraft movements increased 3.5% to 213,500.
As a result, the consolidated revenue rose 18.8% to $495.2 million, with both Commercial and Aeronautical revenues growing at 21.0% and 17.4%, respectively. Notably, revenue growth comfortably outpaced passenger traffic growth. Management noted that excluding the effect of Argentina’s hyperinflation accounting rule, revenues still grew 15.5% to $477.9 million.
The profitability also improved as operating income rose to $139.5 million from $104.0 million a year ago, and adjusted EBITDA climbed 26.1% to $196.2 million, with the margin expanding 2.3% to 39.6%.
Corporación América Airports S.A. is a firm that works in the acquisition, development, and administration of airport concessionaires. It operates in the following geographical segments: Argentina, Italy, Brazil, Uruguay, Ecuador, and Armenia.
4. Firefly Aerospace Inc. (NASDAQ:FLY)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 22
Firefly Aerospace Inc. (NASDAQ:FLY) is one of the Best Airport Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. On May 19, Firefly Aerospace Inc. (NASDAQ:FLY) announced a major expansion in its physical footprint in Texas by moving into a new headquarter in Cedar Park, Texas.
Management noted that the new headquarters consolidates spacecraft operations into a single campus totaling 144,000 square feet, which is twice the size of its previous facilities. Moreover, the expanded facility also houses spacecraft assembly and testing, mission control, avionics production, engineering, and business operations. The location is strategic as it is less than 30 miles from the company’s 200-acre Rocket Ranch in Briggs, Texas.
Notably, the new headquarters has a new cleanroom, which is four times larger than the existing one and is funded by a Texas Space Commission grant. Management noted that the cleanroom is designed to support a dedicated production line for Blue Ghost lunar landers and Elytra orbital vehicles. Moreover, the Briggs facility is also being enhanced, with 30,000 square feet of additional engineering and manufacturing workspace added through two new mezzanines.
Firefly Aerospace Inc. is a space and defense technology company, providing mission solutions for government and commercial customers.
3. Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 30
Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY) is one of the Best Airport Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. On May 7, Canaccord analyst Austin Moeller lowered the firm’s price target on Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY) from $15.5 to $11.5 and maintained a Hold rating on the shares.
The rating comes after the company reported its fiscal Q1 2026 earnings on May 5. The company reported Q1 2026 revenue of $24 million, surpassing the forecasts of $20.2 million. Management noted that the operating loss continues due to the company’s strategic investments. Moreover, the revenue decline from Q4 2025 was attributed to the lack of one-time revenues from previous flight demonstrations in Japan.
Notably, Joby ended the quarter with a strong cash position of $2.5 billion, and management expects full-year revenue between $105 million and $115 million, representing projected growth of over 100% year-over-year.
Canaccord analyst Austin Moeller noted that the reduced price target reflects a model update following Q1 results. The analyst highlighted that management reaffirmed both its 2026 revenue guidance and its first-half cash usage guidance, which provides a long runway before any need to raise additional funds. Canaccord also acknowledged continued progress in the FAA certification process, specifically within the Testing and Analysis stage.
Joby Aviation Inc. conducts studies on electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. It is also involved in their production, evaluation, and sales around the world. It offers several services to its customers, which include facilitation of passenger transportation, providing flight services to the government, and more.
2. AAR Corp. (NYSE:AIR)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 36
AAR Corp. (NYSE:AIR) is one of the Best Airport Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. On May 19, AAR Corp. (NYSE:AIR) announced the addition of A320 slat repair to its Component MRO service offering. Management noted that this further deepens the company’s authorized partnership with Airbus in the Asia-Pacific region.
For reference, slats are movable panels on the leading edge of an aircraft’s wings that help generate lift during takeoff and landing. The maintenance of these panels is a critical and recurring need for any A320 operator. By adding this capability, the company has broadened an already meaningful portfolio of Airbus proprietary component repairs at its facility in Chonburi, Thailand, which already covers rudders, flaps, and sharklets.
Notably, the expanded coverage now includes both the A320ceo and the A320neo variants of the two most dominant versions of one of the world’s most widely operated narrowbody aircraft families.
In addition, on May 12, the company held its investor day. Management reaffirmed guidance for the fiscal fourth quarter and full year 2026. Fourth quarter sales are expected to grow by 19% to 21%, while the full-year sales are expected to grow by 17% to 19%.
AAR Corp. is a leading independent aerospace and defense aftermarket services provider that specializes in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), parts supply, and integrated solutions for commercial airlines and government fleets. Headquartered near Chicago, they improve aircraft availability and reduce global ownership costs.
1. FTAI Aviation Ltd. (NASDAQ:FTAI)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 56
FTAI Aviation Ltd. (NASDAQ:FTAI) is one of the Best Airport Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. On May 19, Moody’s upgraded FTAI Aviation Ltd. (NASDAQ:FTAI)’s corporate family rating to Ba1 from Ba2. Moreover, the rating firm also raised the senior unsecured rating to Ba1, with the preferred stock rating moving to Ba3. The outlook was revised to stable from positive, signaling Moody’s does not anticipate further near-term rating changes.
Earlier on May 8, Morgan Stanley raised the price target on the stock from $293 to $319 and maintained a Buy rating on the shares. The rating follows FTAI’s fiscal first quarter 2026 earnings release. During the quarter, the Aerospace Products revenue reached $743.8 million, up 104% year-on-year, while Adjusted EBITDA for the segment grew 70% to $222.6 million.
Management noted that the doubling of revenue is significant and reflects the company’s scale of engine maintenance and also the robust end-market demand driven by airlines keeping older narrowbody aircraft flying longer amid new aircraft delivery delays.
FTAI Aviation Ltd. is a leading provider of aviation leasing and maintenance services, specializing in CFM56 and V2500 engine aftermarket support.
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