The International Air Transport Association has urged airlines, airports and ground handling companies across the world to intensify the implementation of international operational standards, modernise airport ground equipment and embrace digital technologies in order to strengthen safety, efficiency and sustainability in the aviation sector.
The appeal was made during the 38th IATA Ground Handling Conference (IGHC) held in Cairo, Egypt, where industry stakeholders gathered to discuss emerging challenges and opportunities in airport ground operations. The conference was hosted by EgyptAir.
Speaking at the event, IATA Director of Ground Operations, Monika Mejstrikova, said the importance of ground handling operations is often underestimated because passengers only notice the sector when problems occur.
She noted that operational failures such as delayed baggage, aircraft damage, loading mistakes and turnaround disruptions can have serious consequences for airline schedules and airport operations across global networks.
According to Mejstrikova, the future of efficient and resilient ground handling depends on stronger operational discipline, the use of smarter equipment and improved digital connectivity throughout the aviation ecosystem.
She explained that recent safety statistics indicate progress within the industry, disclosing that no fatal ground handling accidents and only one serious injury were recorded globally in 2025 despite almost 40 million flights operating during the year.
IATA stated that internationally recognised operational manuals remain essential to maintaining safe and efficient ground services.
The association identified the IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) and the Airport Handling Manual (AHM) as the aviation industry’s leading operational references for airlines and ground handling service providers.
To improve global compliance, the organisation called for accelerated implementation of the standards and reduced operational variations between organisations and airports.
IATA also encouraged wider adoption of the IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO), describing the programme as a key tool for strengthening operational oversight and safety management.
According to the association, its Operational Portal designed to support IGOM and AHM implementation is currently being used by more than 1,000 registered users worldwide, including 280 airlines and over 700 ground handling companies.
The organisation disclosed that 582 aviation stakeholders submitted their IGOM implementation rates in 2025, while over 500 organisations reported compliance with AHM training standards.
On standardisation, IATA revealed that more than 40 per cent of organisations that shared their IGOM gap analysis reported no procedural variations from the approved standards.
However, the association stated that audit findings in 2025 still showed an average of 32 operational variations per report, representing approximately eight per cent of total IGOM procedures, mainly in aircraft arrival operations.
The association further revealed that nearly 300 audits had already been completed this year under the revised ISAGO model.
IATA said the programme presently supports more than 230 ground handling service providers across 441 accredited stations operating at over 250 airports globally, with more than 200 airlines relying on ISAGO audit reports to improve safety oversight.
Mejstrikova also highlighted the increasing operational and financial burden created by aircraft ground damage incidents.
She disclosed that more than 29,000 aircraft ground damage events were reported globally in 2025, warning that the costs associated with such incidents would continue to rise as air traffic expands worldwide.
According to her, modernising ground support equipment is critical not only for improving safety but also for supporting environmental sustainability objectives.
As part of efforts to reduce operational risks, IATA launched the Enhanced GSE Recognition Programme in 2024 to encourage the use of ground support equipment equipped with anti-collision technology.
The association said the programme has already attracted more than 450 applications, with 187 airport stations validated and 75 stations formally recognised for improving operational safety standards.
IATA also emphasised the environmental advantages of transitioning from fuel-powered equipment to electric ground support equipment.
The organisation explained that electric GSE could reduce emissions generated during aircraft turnaround operations by between 35 and 52 per cent depending on airport infrastructure and electricity sources.
To support the transition, IATA recently published operational guidance for airports and ground handling operators shifting to electric-powered fleets.
On digitalisation, the association identified fragmented data systems, manual operational procedures and delayed information exchange as major barriers to efficient airport ground handling.
Mejstrikova stated that many ground handling activities still rely heavily on disconnected systems and manual inputs, increasing the risk of baggage mishandling, loading errors and delayed responses to operational hazards.
She stressed that better data integration and real-time information sharing would significantly improve operational decision-making and safety performance.
The association identified baggage handling as one of the major areas requiring urgent digital reform.
According to IATA, the newly developed IATA Baggage Community System (BCS) will connect airlines, airports and ground handling providers on a unified platform to enable real-time baggage information sharing and improved tracking throughout the baggage process.
The association also expressed concern over aircraft loading errors, revealing that nearly 38,000 such incidents were recorded globally in 2025.
To address the problem, IATA said the X565 digital data standard is helping modernise aircraft loading procedures by replacing manual systems with faster and more accurate digital workflows.
The organisation disclosed that Boeing is supporting implementation of the X565 standard for the Boeing 737 aircraft family, while Airbus has made significant progress implementing the standard across the A320, A330 and A350 aircraft families, including future cargo aircraft.
According to IATA, airlines currently using digital load control and reconciliation systems have reported reductions in loading errors exceeding 90 per cent, as well as fewer operational delays.
The association also highlighted progress in de-icing and anti-icing safety management through the De-Icing/Anti-Icing Quality Control Pool initiative.
It explained that the programme enhances operational visibility through stronger industry data sharing and safety dashboards designed to identify operational hazards earlier and improve oversight at de-icing stations.
IATA added that the initiative is expanding internationally, with the first major United States operator expected to participate during the forthcoming winter season, while engagement with Chinese aviation stakeholders continues to grow in support of greater alignment with global operational standards.
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