Learn how to optimize your ground operations and reduce costs, emissions, and delays with these tips on planning, technology, training, best practices, collaboration, and innovation.

The key to Enhancing Resource efficiency lies in reducing idling/ inefficiencies in end to end Turanaround Management...both on Equipment and Human resources. KPIs for the resources need to be clearly defined, consistently measured and improved. Live information from Airport AODB integrated with resource management systems need to feed each other. Fully integrated telematics for equipment with sensors and a layer of VA can substantially improve the turnaround times, safety and efficiency whilst reducing carbon emissions and Human fatigue. A Digital and Physical Masterplan needs to be in place to embrace the CONOPS Data Analytics leading to Predictive models can bring in more efficiencies. Collaboration with Stakeholders is a given.

Last updated on Jan 30, 2025

How can you maximize resource efficiency during aircraft ground handling and service?

Aircraft ground handling and service are essential operations for any airport, but they also consume a lot of resources, such as fuel, electricity, water, staff, and equipment. How can you maximize resource efficiency during these processes and reduce costs, emissions, and delays? Here are some tips to help you optimize your ground operations and improve your airport performance.

1 Plan ahead

One of the key factors for efficient ground handling and service is planning. You need to coordinate with airlines, ground service providers, air traffic control, and other stakeholders to ensure that you have enough resources available and allocated for each flight. You also need to monitor the weather, traffic, and demand patterns and adjust your plans accordingly. Planning ahead can help you avoid overbooking, underutilization, and conflicts that can waste resources and cause disruptions.

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2 Use technology

Technology can help you streamline and automate your ground handling and service processes and reduce human errors and inefficiencies. For example, you can use digital platforms and mobile devices to communicate and share information with your ground staff and partners, track and manage your resources and equipment, and monitor and optimize your performance. You can also use smart technologies, such as sensors, RFID, and GPS, to collect and analyze data on your ground operations and identify areas for improvement.

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3 Train your staff

Your ground staff are the ones who perform the ground handling and service tasks, such as loading and unloading baggage and cargo, refueling and servicing the aircraft, and assisting passengers and crew. Therefore, you need to ensure that they are well-trained and skilled to do their jobs efficiently and safely. You need to provide them with regular and updated training on the best practices, procedures, and standards for ground handling and service. You also need to motivate and empower them to work as a team and solve problems on the spot.

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Sebastian Mora Zapata

Business Management | Aviation Industry | Account Representative | Sky Mart
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Es interesante ver cómo en diferentes empresas el uso de nuevos simuladores, para el entrenamiento de pull back con towbars, refill de combustible, transitó de vehículos en aeropuertos. En Colombia diferentes empresas se han unido para la creación de simuladores para los señaleros y cómo se hace la gestión en el diamante de seguridad, volviendo interactivo las prácticas sin poner en riesgo al personal ni a las aeronaves.

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4 Implement best practices

There are many best practices and guidelines that you can follow to improve your resource efficiency during ground handling and service. For example, you can adopt the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Ground Operations Manual (IGOM), which provides a standardized and harmonized approach to ground operations. You can also implement the IATA Airport Handling Manual (AHM), which covers the contractual aspects and service levels of ground handling and service. Additionally, you can apply the IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) program, which helps you measure and reduce your environmental impact.

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5 Collaborate with partners

Ground handling and service involve many different parties, such as airlines, ground service providers, fuel suppliers, catering companies, security agencies, and regulators. You need to collaborate with them to ensure that your ground operations are aligned and integrated. You need to establish clear roles and responsibilities, share information and feedback, and resolve issues and conflicts. You also need to seek opportunities to cooperate and coordinate with them to optimize your resource utilization and allocation.

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Tebogo Ikaneng

Chief Operations Officer Colossal Aviapartner
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Internal collaboration is key as a GH, post that external engagement can be pursued with clear objectives. Take your own limitations and ask the airport community to enhance them by planning better around them.

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6 Innovate and improve

Finally, you need to constantly innovate and improve your ground handling and service processes and practices to achieve higher levels of resource efficiency. You need to keep up with the latest trends and developments in the aviation industry and adopt new technologies and solutions that can enhance your ground operations. You also need to monitor and evaluate your performance and results and identify gaps and challenges. You need to learn from your successes and failures and implement corrective and preventive actions.

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Ashish Kumar

EVP & Chief Commercial Officer- Aero & Cargo | GMR
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The key to Enhancing Resource efficiency lies in reducing idling/ inefficiencies in end to end Turanaround Management...both on Equipment and Human resources. KPIs for the resources need to be clearly defined, consistently measured and improved. Live information from Airport AODB integrated with resource management systems need to feed each other. Fully integrated telematics for equipment with sensors and a layer of VA can substantially improve the turnaround times, safety and efficiency whilst reducing carbon emissions and Human fatigue. A Digital and Physical Masterplan needs to be in place to embrace the CONOPS Data Analytics leading to Predictive models can bring in more efficiencies. Collaboration with Stakeholders is a given.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Swapnal K.

Fostering operational efficiency and revenue maximisation for airport partners on a global scale with Munich Airport International!
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a. Real-time Information Sharing:Establish a seamless data exchange system between airport & GHAs to provide real-time information on flight schedules,changes etc. b. Automated Task Assignment: Automatically assign tasks based on aircraft schedules, optimizing manpower allocation and reducing delays. c. Predictive Analytics:Implement data analytics to predict peak periods and plan resource allocation d.Collaborative Planning:Enable collaborative planning by sharing data related to aircraft turnaround times, maintenance schedules, and other pertinent information between the airport and GHAs e.Regulatory Compliance: Ensure data systems comply with regulatory requirements, promoting transparency and accountability in ground handling processes.

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N S
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1. Planning and schedulling ahead always helps. 2. Organising and co-ordinatong with all stake holders well ahead of time like Airport, Airline, Internal Teams & Security. Knowing the Airport-Airline-Aircraft-Airstrip-Security requisites also are important aspects. 3. Ensuring availability of serviceable GSEs and meticulously following their maintainance schedules. 4. Knowing all the related costing aspects to ensure no losses and last minute delays always helps.

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How can you maximize resource efficiency during aircraft ground handling and service?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Plan ahead

2 Use technology

3 Train your staff

4 Implement best practices

5 Collaborate with partners

6 Innovate and improve

7 Here’s what else to consider

Airport Management

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How can you maximize resource efficiency during aircraft ground handling and service?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Plan ahead

2 Use technology

3 Train your staff

4 Implement best practices

5 Collaborate with partners

6 Innovate and improve

7 Here’s what else to consider

Airport Management

Rate this article

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