26 June 2025
Positioning Ground Operations for Success
In May 2025, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) held the IATA Ground Handling Conference. Hosted by Kenya Airways. They highlighted four priorities for ground handling:
- Embedding safety in every action
- Driving global standardisation
- Enhancing baggage operations
- Building a sustainable and inclusive way forward
For the purposes of this article, we are going to focus on embedding safety in every action and setting up the ground handling operation and the overall organisation for success. Whilst IATA is focusing on the use of data, enhanced ground service equipment and initiatives to improve the accuracy of weight and balance data, we are going to take it back a step to the organisational aspect.
IATA has estimated annual cost of ground damage could double to nearly USD10 billion by 2035. To continue to support the industry and keep the laser focus on enhancing ground operations. All of these initiatives are relevant, and working together can make a difference to ground handling performance.
To assist Gallagher clients in positioning their ground operations for success, we have developed a tool for organisations to use before the operation begins and from the management organisational perspective. The Governance, Training and Risk Analysis (GTRA) for ground operations will help airlines, airports and ground handlers to ensure the ground operations/handling structure is appropriate. This tool can be used in advance of a Ramp LOSA or similar behaviour-based risk solution.
To assist Gallagher clients in positioning their ground operations for success, we have developed a tool for organisations to use before the operation begins and from the management organisational perspective.
Governance, Training and Risk Analysis
A Governance, Training and Risk Analysis (GTRA) provides essential insights for organisations to identify, understand, and mitigate behavioural and procedural risks that impact operations.
GTRA implementation positions ground operations for success through a three-pronged approach to providing a comprehensive view of potential risks to the organisation. Additionally, completion of GTRA allows management to address attritional losses through behaviour-based solutions.
The first aspect of the GTRA is to understand the organisational SMS and the application, governance and integration within ground operations. The question of whether ground operations have been fully integrated with the corporate SMS or if there are common SMS practices between the ground handler and the airline must be asked and answered to demonstrate adequate control of the operation. This will be accomplished through a management and operational documentation review and analysis.
Further, there is a requirement to review the current levels of training, to understand shortcomings in their training processes and identify how these can be improved to meet the business and safety goals.
Each role within ground operations will be reviewed for a documented job description to understand if there are adequate requirements in place.
All combined to provide a comprehensive view of potential risks to the organisation through existing risk registers and/or risks identified during the analysis.
To ensure ground operations safety and operational processes are adequate for the operation, the GTRA will:
- Review the current safety plan and annual safety review
- Assess safety and operations manuals for compliance with industry best practices
- Evaluate governance structures for effective service delivery
- Review Safety Risk Management (SRM) and
- Safety Assurance (SA) activities
- Assess hazard/risk registers to ensure risks are identified, assessed and mitigated
- Evaluate ground operations performance metrics and targets
- Ensure training and competency management systems are in place
- Conduct job description reviews to extract required safety skill sets
- Assess existing training programmes and identify gaps
Conducting a GTRA can ensure your organisation is equipped with the insights and strategies needed to maintain optimal safety and operational efficiency.
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Sandy Lonsbury
Senior Advisor, Partner, Safety & Operations Aviation Risk Solutions
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