Let’s get one thing straight: I wasn’t at IATA IGHC 2025 in Nairobi. My passport stayed put in the drawer, my suitcase remained blissfully unlost, and the closest I got to a giraffe was the one printed on my t-shirt. But thanks to the roving (and occasionally luggage-less) reporting of Humza and Ali, whose bags decided to take their own Maasai Mara detour, I got the full download from afar. Toss in a steady stream of press releases and the inevitable flood of passionate LinkedIn commentary, I had a virtual seat at the most important ground handling event of the year, all without having to wrangle with airport security.
Now, if you want a straight-laced review by a seasoned journalist, keep an eye out for Graham Dunn’s deep dive in the ARGS summer issue. But if you’re in the mood for the unofficial-but-enthusiastic armchair version, buckle up, here’s my take on IGHC 2025.
It’s a bit like watching the FA Cup from your sofa: you miss the crowd noise and overpriced hot dogs, but you get all the highlights with better snacks and zero queueing. So, with a respectful nod to my on-the-ground correspondents and the wonders of Wi-Fi, here’s why IGHC 2025 was an absolute triumph.
Nairobi: Where Ground Handling Meets Safari Chic
There aren’t many places where you can discuss aircraft turnaround times while watching giraffes stroll by, but at the 37th IATA Ground Handling Conference in Nairobi, that was just another day at the office. For the first time in IGHC’s long and storied history, the event landed in Africa and it touched down with flair.
If you’ve ever imagined ground ops as purely clipboards and high-vis vests, Nairobi proved it’s more like choreography on the tarmac, performed with energy, precision, and a lot of jet fuel. The event brought together airlines, ground handlers, regulators, and enough acronyms to make a Scrabble champion cry. And with Nairobi’s legendary hospitality and a gala dinner under the stars, let’s just say the networking was better than Business Class champagne.
The Question on Everyone’s Lips:
What’s the biggest challenge in ground handling today?
Spoiler alert: It’s not just lost baggage or rogue cones. Here’s what the aviation elite had to say:
Allan Kilavuka – CEO, Kenya Airways
“We need to invest in training and inspire young talent to join us.”
“The cost of ground handling in Africa is sky-high.”
“Most importantly, we need more collaboration.”
Willie Walsh – Director General, IATA
“Attracting and retaining talent remains our toughest challenge.”
Michael Joseph – Chairman, Kenya Airways
“Having IGHC in Africa highlights our rising influence and is a celebration of how far we’ve come.”
Nick Careen – SVP, Operations, Safety & Security, IATA
“With current margins, the industry earns about $7 per passenger, that’s a cup of coffee.”
Monika Mejstrikova – Director, Ground Operations, IATA
“Global standards are the backbone of efficient ops. Modern baggage processes are non-negotiable.” “ISAGO saved airlines $4.7 million in 2024 alone.”
Mohamed Hanno – CEO, ASE Group
“The procurements of the airlines, they want the best quality of service but the cheapest price.” Airlines want champagne service at lemonade prices.”
Rachael Ndegwa – CEO, Swissport Kenya
“If I had a crown and wand, I’d conjure up more young talent.”
Santhosh Kumar – Emirates
“Time to ditch legacy baggage messaging and go modern.”
Viktoria Rudo – Lufthansa
“Our vision? Biometric baggage identity. Basically, your bag gets a digital passport.”
Kevin Larson – Alaska Airlines
“Electronic bag tags are backward compatible. Translation: no need for fancy new airport gear.”
Steve Clark – dnata
“Train for competence and compliance follows naturally.”
Marlon Van Der Meer – Baggage Group
“AI can assign tasks, collaborate, learn, even make decisions, all within baggage ops. The robots are coming.”
Aditi Thaker – IDEMIA
“Imagine identifying a bag without a tag. We did, using biometrics, AI, and a pinch of magic.”
Davis Chirchir EGH – Kenya’s Transport Ministry
“This isn’t just a talking shop. We need action, and it starts with ground handlers, the unsung heroes.”
Ryan Abram – dnata
“No one competes on safety. Whether airline or handler, it’s sacred ground.”
Dr. Simon Peter Njoroge – Nairobi Airport
“Ground handlers must innovate, self-monitor, and grow their own standards.”
Christophe Lucas – Air France
“We’ve got to rethink how we organise our ramp ops. Workforce shortages demand it.”
Theresa Autry – United Airlines
“Technology is only as good as the humans behind it.”
Standardisation: The Industry’s Secret Sauce
From Heathrow to Hong Kong, the issues are the same: razor-thin margins, rising costs, and a shortage of ramp crew. The fix? Standardisation. IATA’s IGOM (Ground Operations Manual) is the blueprint we all need to follow. Enough with the “not my fleet!” drama. Let’s handle aircraft the same way everywhere. (And while we’re at it, could someone please standardise airport PA announcements?)
Baggage Gets Its Glow-Up
Of course, no IGHC would be complete without a baggage subplot. Enter IATA’s 10-year Global Baggage Roadmap: digital tracking, electronic tags, and automation galore. Your suitcase is about to get smarter than your seatmate.
As for Humza and Ali’s runaway luggage? It enjoyed a Maasai Mara safari while they networked in Nairobi. Not the worst baggage saga in conference history, but definitely the most scenic.
Safety, Sustainability, and a Sprinkle of Sarcasm
One panel focused on AI-powered safety tech, with Swissport’s North American trials showing a 48% reduction in distracted driving and a 55% drop in seatbelt violations. Now that’s what we call “belt and braces” safety.
And let’s take a moment for the true underdogs of aviation: chocks and cones. If we ever manage to standardise them, we might not revolutionise ground handling, but we could at least prevent a few rolled ankles and radio rants.”
Final Approach: Why IGHC Still Matters
IGHC 2025 wasn’t just a conference, it was a statement. With Kenya’s President Ruto attending and Kenya Airways rolling out the red carpet, Africa showed it’s more than ready to lead the aviation conversation.
The key themes? Safety, sustainability, standardisation and the need for fair play. IATA is doing the work, but it takes cooperation. Airlines and ground service providers must finally sit at the same table, speak the same language, and agree on one simple thing: if you want high-quality service, you need to pay for it. It’s a labour-intensive industry, not a magic trick.
As someone who’s spent years listening to both sides, I can say this: the record is stuck. Everyone keeps talking about collaboration, but no one wants to press play. Maybe it’s time we all listened to each other.
So, as we taxi to the gate and look toward IGHC 2026, let’s remember: ground handling might be behind the scenes, but it’s what keeps this industry rolling. Here’s to fewer delays, smoother ops, and maybe, just maybe, a little less finger-pointing next year.
And to Ali and Humza: may your bags stay loyal, your boarding passes stay digital, and your next adventure involve fewer safari detours. See you on the apron.
