The International Air Transport Association has called for faster adoption of global standards, wider use of digital technology and increased investment in modern ground support equipment to improve safety and efficiency across the aviation sector.
The appeal was made at the 38th IATA Ground Handling Conference in Cairo, hosted by EgyptAir.
Ground handling covers the essential services that support aircraft operations on the ground, including baggage loading, aircraft turnaround, de-icing and ramp operations.
Monika Mejstrikova, IATA’s director of ground operations, said failures in ground handling could quickly affect airline networks worldwide.
She said: “Ground handling is often invisible to passengers, but when it goes wrong, everyone notices.
“A delayed bag, a damaged aircraft, a loading error, or a disrupted turnaround may last minutes, but the consequences can ripple across an entire network.”
Safety performance improves
IATA said the sector’s latest safety data showed continued progress in 2025, with no fatal ground handling accidents reported and only one serious injury recorded across nearly 40 million flights.
The organisation said global operating standards remained central to maintaining safe and efficient airport operations. Key industry references include the IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) and the Airport Handling Manual (AHM).
According to IATA, more than 1,000 organisations are now using its Operational Portal, including 280 airlines and more than 700 ground handling companies.
More than 500 organisations also reported alignment with AHM training standards, while 582 companies shared details of their IGOM implementation rates.
IATA said it wanted the industry to reduce unnecessary operational variations between airports and handlers, warning that inconsistencies could increase risk and inefficiency.
Nearly 300 audits were conducted in 2025 under the IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) programme. The scheme now supports more than 230 ground handling providers across 441 accredited stations at over 250 airports worldwide.
Push for safer and cleaner ground equipment
The aviation body also highlighted aircraft ground damage as one of the industry’s most persistent operational and financial risks.
More than 29,000 aircraft ground damage incidents were reported globally in 2025.
Mejstrikova said modernising ground support equipment was critical both for safety and sustainability.
She said: “Unless we reduce the rate of these incidents, costs will multiply as the industry grows.”
IATA has been encouraging airports and handlers to adopt enhanced ground support equipment fitted with anti-collision technology.
Since launching its Enhanced GSE Recognition Programme in 2024, IATA said it had received more than 450 applications, validated 187 stations and formally recognised 75 stations for reducing operational risk.
The trade body is also pushing for wider adoption of electric ground support vehicles, arguing that electrification could significantly reduce airport emissions.
According to IATA guidance, electric GSE could lower turnaround emissions by between 35% and 52%, depending on the type of equipment used and the electricity source.
Digital systems to reduce errors
IATA said fragmented systems and manual processes continued to create operational risks across airport handling.
The organisation identified baggage management, aircraft loading and de-icing operations as key areas where digitalisation could improve performance.
A newly developed IATA Baggage Community System aims to connect airlines, airports and ground handlers through a shared platform providing real-time baggage tracking and information exchange.
The industry body also said almost 38,000 aircraft loading errors were recorded in 2025.
To address this, airlines and manufacturers are adopting the X565 data standard to modernise how loading information is exchanged.
Boeing is supporting the standard for the Boeing 737 programme, while Airbus has expanded implementation across its A320, A330 and A350 aircraft families.
IATA said airlines using digital load control systems had reported reductions in loading errors of more than 90%, alongside fewer delays and operational disruptions.
The organisation added that stronger data-sharing systems were also improving oversight of aircraft de-icing and anti-icing operations, with further international expansion planned during the next winter season.
