junejuly2023 - 4

EDITOR'S NOTE
JOSH SMITH
josh@AviationPros.com
+1 920-563-1644
LinkedIn
Ground Handlers Focus on Growth
At the IATA Ground Handling Conference, key priorities were called out
to help the industry improve personnel and operational challenges.
A
s the commercial aviation
industry continues to
rebound from the COVID-19
pandemic, ground service
providers face a number of ongoing
critical challenges. Overcoming these
obstacles is crucial to the overall success
of the industry.
According to officials with the International
Air Transport Association
(IATA), the ground handling community
can benefit from prioritizing
three key areas. These areas include
effective recruitment and retention of
personnel, implementing global standards
consistently and accelerating
the digitalization and automation of
the industry.
These priorities were highlighted
during the 35th IATA Ground Handling
Conference (IGHC) in Abu Dhabi in
May. Anticipating a busy peak travel
season, Monika Mejstrikova, director of
ground operations at IATA, encouraged
IGHC attendees to act quickly to prepare
for increased passenger volumes.
" Short-term we must act fast to
prepare for increased traffic. Ensuring
efficient onboarding of new employees
and working with governments to
reduce bottlenecks in security clearances
is critical, " Mejstrikova said.
" Longer-term, more effective staff
recruitment and retention, implementing
global standards and accelerating
digitalization and automation will be
critical to build resilience and ensure
sustainability. "
4 || Ground Support Worldwide || June/July 2023
To help mitigate the challenges
presented by labor shortages, IATA
officials suggested implementing competency-based
training that includes
online components in order to speed
up on the onboarding process.
To further expedite recruitment
and enhance employee retainment,
IATA recommended utilizing mutual
recognition of security training
and employee background records;
automating processes that reduce
physically demanding duties; and promoting
career development.
In terms of standardizing the
industry, IATA urged stakeholders to
further adopt use of the IATA Ground
Operations Manual (IGOM) and
IATA Safety Audit of Ground Operations
(ISAGO).
Technology will also continue to
play a key role in the ground handling
space, IATA officials noted. Within
the realm of digitalization and automation,
IATA representatives noted
ramp digitalization, load control
digitalization and GSE automation as
key priorities.
" Ground operations are complex,
and delays are the bane of every turnaround
coordinator's existence. But
with technology and communication
advancements, we can avoid delays,
make operations safer, more efficient
and more environmentally sustainable,
while providing a better working
experience for staff on the ramp, " said
Mejstrikova.
Ground operations are
complex, and delays are the
bane of every turnaround
coordinator's existence.
But with technology
and communication
advancements, we can
avoid delays, make operations
safer, more efficient and more
environmentally sustainable,
while providing a better
working experience for
staff on the ramp.
- Monika Mejstrikova
Although exacerbated by the pandemic,
many of today's challenges
existed prior to 2020. But efforts continue
to be made in order to improve
the ground handling industry.
Has your operation found success
with onboarding and retaining
employees? How has technology
made a positive impact on your
business? Share your experiences
with us at Ground Support Worldwide,
so we can work together to
continue improving the industry. I
welcome and value your feedback on
the topic.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-smith-9309557/
junejuly2023

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