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Ground handling

Ground handling is the process of servicing an aircraft when it is parked, usually between flights whilst the plane is at the airport terminal gate.

Ground handling is frequently subcontracted by airlines to the airports they use, to third-party agents or to other airlines.

The ground handling team is made up of staff who perform a wide range of functions including:

Ramp handling: guiding the plane into position and operating
Servicing vehicles on the tarmac
Refuelling and maintenance of the aircraft
Clearing of the cabin and restocking of the catering supplies
Check-in and boarding at the terminal gate

news

Edinburgh Airport adopts deep learning AI to enhance efficiency and reduce aircraft delays

9 December 2024 | By Gabriel Higgins

Edinburgh Airport introduces Deep Turnaround AI to optimise turnaround times, enhance efficiency, and predict delays with advanced technology.

article

African Airport Champions: The unsung heroes of Africa’s aviation growth

25 November 2024 | By Waheedah Lawal Suleiman

Waheedah Lawal Suleiman, Manager of the Economic Committee for ACI Africa, writes about the importance of workers across Africa’s airports, from security to flight attendees, and their impact on aviation.

news

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol plans for its biggest investment ever worth €6 billion

9 September 2024 | By Gabriel Higgins

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol will invest over the next 5 years 6bn euros, in what will be the biggest in their history, in developing working conditions and services of the airport.

news

Aviation Services UK: Airport capacity needs to be prioritised

28 June 2024 | By Emily Budgen

The trade association for ground services at airports, Aviation Services UK, have asked the next government to prioritise airport capacity.

article

The challenges of the new era of baggage handling

5 September 2023 | By Sara Branco

For International Airport Review's Issue 2 2023, Sara Branco, Baggage Handling Expert at Geneva Airport, looks back on 2022’s baggage chaos and discusses IATA’s Resolution 753 which is due to come into effect this year.

news

Lithuanian airports introduce pre-clearance flight coordination procedure

13 June 2023 | By International Airport Review

The airports' clearance system was designed to manage the sanctioning/operational risks of certain air travel, including incoming military, private charter and general aviation flights.

news

15 Years of Advancing Aviation Safety with IATA’s ISAGO

17 May 2023 | By International Airport Review

Operating for the last 15 years, IATA's ISAGO is an industry programme for the global oversight of ground handling service providers (GHSPs) and is based on the IATA's Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) standards.

news

IATA’S three ground handling priorities: recruitment & retention, global standards and digitalisation

16 May 2023 | By International Airport Review

IATA's three priorities, outlined at the 35th IATA Ground Handling Conference (IGHC) include a focus on workplace recruitment and retention; adhering to standards and enhancing digitalisation.

news

Qatar Airways Cargo use canine detection to sniff out lithium batteries

2 May 2023 | By International Airport Review

In partnership with Qatar Airways Cargo and ground handler Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd, an extra layer of security has been added to the airline’s ex-Hong Kong flights. Using technical detection dogs, lithium batteries will be sniffed out in air cargos.

news

UK Government completes review of airport ground operations

3 April 2023 | By International Airport Review

In a new government review, 10 focus areas for the UK's aviation sector have been outlined to ensure ground handling operations are back to full capacity and the travel disruption of last summer won't happen again.

news

January 2023 sees demand for air cargo dip

14 March 2023 | By International Airport Review

Owing to a persisting war in Ukraine, high inflation and a shortage of workers, demand for global air cargo has declined. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its data for January 2023 global air cargo markets and results show that, in a context of economic headwinds, cargo demand has…

article

CEO of London Southend Airport is focusing on long-term recovery and growth

28 February 2023 | By John Upton

As part of International Airport Review’s exclusive CEO series, John Upton, CEO of London Southend Airport discussed his career, his key focus areas for the future and how they are working to deliver a high-quality airport experience for both passengers and staff.

article

We rock all winter long!

26 January 2023 | By Janne Rostén

For Issue 5 2022, Janne Rostén, Head of Ground Operations and Nominated Person, Ground at Nordic Regional Airlines gives an overview of how they handle their winter operations.

news

IATA calls for transition to enhance ground support equipment

14 December 2022 | By International Airport Review

The International Air Transport Association has called for a transition to enhance ground support equipment to improve safety and contain the cost of ground equipment damage.

news

Birmingham Airport expands Veovo partnership to enhance real-time partner collaboration

26 October 2022 | By Veovo

Birmingham Airport's upgrade to Veovo's next-generation operations platform allows the operator and its aviation partners to take proactive decisions as events unfold for a smoother passenger experience.

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Latest News

Ground handling