10/7/22, 5:44 AM Ground Handling Companies

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Ground Handling
Companies
by Maged Saeed AL-Hadabi - 4/13/2022 
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Best ground handling companies are those that

provide aircraft ground handling services - ramp
Services- before and after the flight to ensure the
secure, safe, and smooth process of airline
passengers, baggage, cargo, mail, and other
services associated with their transport by air.
In ramp handling terms, ground handling
companies provide ramp services and deliver a
wide range of aircraft handling functions- by using
modern airport ground support equipment- such
as aircraft loading and unloading, technical
support functions. 
Also, by using modern airport ground support
equipment, they provide provision of air start unit
(ASU), ground power unit (GPU), tow vehicle, etc.
In this article, I will explain the regulatory
requirements for gaining the approval to operate a
ground handling company and what kind of
services most aircraft ground handling companies
provide to their airlines.

How To Start Ground Handling Company?

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You are interested in starting a ground handling

company. You should access to the national civil
aviation authority website to download civil
aviation regulation that lists the criteria for
issuance of ground handling approval.
Sometimes, the airport operator may decide on
the number of ground handling agencies, which
does not exceed a certain number (based on the
traffic output and airside and terminal building
capacity).
I will mention the most common requirements, and
you should contact an aviation consultancy office
to help you prepare for the pre-qualification stage.

Licensing Requirements for Ground Handling

Companies

The requirements for licensing - approval- ground

handling companies may differ from national civil
aviation authority  to another depending on the
airport operator’s policy.  And the need for new
ground handling agents to support the high
number of passenger traffic to/from/ through
national airports.
I can say that the most common requirements are:
1- Written Application to the Civil Aviation
Authority 
Usually, this written form is pre-designed called
an application letter for the License of GHC. It may
contain the following information such as:
(a) Name and address of the applicant.
(b) List of ground handling services ( types of
services).
(c) Proposed airport or airports where the
applicant intends to provide the ground 
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handling service(s).
2- Payment of an amount of money as a non-
refundable processing fee to CAA
This payment may differ from country to country.
3- Business documents
After the payment of the registration fee, the CAA
may ask for many businesses documents such as:
      Evidence of incorporation of the company
(Such as a Certificate)
      Company clearance certificates
      management structure and details of
technical partners
      Business Plan details the following:
0.0.1. Proposed services.
0.0.2. List of facilities & ground support
equipment.
0.0.3. Key personnel (such as security and
safety managers).
0.0.4. A financial plan including estimated
costs of setting up the company, etc.
4- Operational Manuals
Those operational manuals should include but are
not limited to:
Ground handling manual 


Safety management system manual



Security manual


Air cargo handling manual



Emergency response manual



In some cases, the Dangerous Goods Manual.



5- Evidence of financial capacity.

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6- Aviation Insurance Arrangement.

7- Other additional requirements.

Ground Handling Services

Ground handling companies may provide number
of the following ground handling services :
• Ramp operations
These ground handling services include
(Marshaling,  aircraft  parking, moving of
aircraft, aircraft de-icing, aircraft towing, aircraft
refueling, etc.)
• Passenger services

These passenger handling services include (

Passenger services from check-in to boarding, VIP
lounges, handling airline passengers with special
needs, Catering, etc.).
Note: 
Ground handling companies may have ground
handling agreements with more than one airline. In
this case, it tailored their airline passenger
services to match individual airline standards and
experiences. And they may use multiple DCS
systems.
• Baggage services
These baggage handling services include
handling ( Over-size baggage, baggage sorting,
baggage loading/unloading, and lost, misdirected,
or damaged baggage, etc.).
• Cabin services
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These cabin services include (Cabin equipment,

short–turn cleaning and deep cleaning, etc.).
• Weight and balance control
These ground handling services include preparing
load sheets, loading instruction reports, etc.
•  Aircraft servicing
These ground handling services include (Water
services, toilet services, air start, etc.).
• Ramp Safety
These ramp safety services include (Security of
cargo and baggage loading, safety precautions
during fueling, etc.).
• Provision of Documents
Ground handling companies provide the captain of
the aircraft documents include (including  fuel
uplift receipt, the aircraft load and trim form,
loading instruction report (LIR), passenger and air
freight manifests, and NOTOC for dangerous
goods. etc.).
• Ground support equipment
These ground handling services include providing
modern ground support equipment such as ( air
start unit (ASU), ground power unit (GPU), tow
vehicle, etc.).
•  Maintenance
Ground handling companies provide aircraft
maintenance services such as routine
maintenance inspection, doing minor maintenance
issues.
• Cargo services 
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Ground handling companies provide air cargo

sales and handling services. 
 ISAGO Certification

The main aim of the IATA Safety Audit for Ground

Operations (ISAGO) program is that all ground
handling service providers operate to a single
global standard which will contribute to safer
operations and a reduction in accidents. 
Ground handling companies must operate to a
single global standard ISAGO. Also, its operational
manuals must be prepared according to ISAGO
standards and pass the IOSA audit. 
Best ground handling companies are ISAGO
certified. 

Summary 
Ground handling companies provide a wide range
of ground handling services that aims at
facilitating an aircraft flight or aircraft ground
repositioning, preparation for flight, and upon
conclusion of a flight which includes both
customer service and ramp service functions.
There are licensing requirements for ground
handling companies set by national civil aviation
authorities, such as business documents,
operational manuals, etc.
To start your ground handling company, I am here
for your help.
Our ground handling manuals include the
following :
1.  Ground handling manual
2. Safety management system manual 
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3. Security manual
4. Air cargo handling manual
5. Emergency response manual
6. And we can prepare for you the manual of
the dangerous good.
Just contact us ( Aviation Professional website),
and we will send you single chapter from each
manual to evaluate our offer. 
I hope you enjoyed reading and sharing this
article. 
Tags: General
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
Maged Saeed AL-Hadabi
I’m Instructor / Maged Saeed Al-
Hadabi.
​Air Cargo / IATA Dangerous
Goods Regulations / Safety
Management System Senior
Instructor, Auditor [ Yemen Airways] .
Approved IATA DGR/ SMS Instructor
by Yemen Civil Aviation Authority.

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