Taha Siddiqi’s Post

Exploring Aviation Essentials with Refined Steele: What is Ground Handling? 🛩️ 📜 Ground Handling: Ensuring Seamless Airport Operations Ground handling is more than just a service; it's a vital component of airport operations that ensures the smooth and efficient handling of aircraft while they are on the ground. From baggage handling to aircraft refueling, ground handling encompasses a wide range of essential tasks and services that contribute to the overall efficiency and safety of air travel. 🌐 Why is Ground Handling Important? Imagine an airport as a bustling hub of activity, with aircraft arriving and departing around the clock. Ground handling services play a crucial role in facilitating the timely turnaround of flights, ensuring that aircraft are serviced, loaded, and prepared for departure without delays. By providing seamless coordination and support, ground handling teams help airlines and airports maintain high levels of operational performance and passenger satisfaction. 🔍 Refined Steele: Your Partner in Airport Excellence At Refined Steele, we understand the importance of ground handling in maintaining the efficiency and reliability of airport operations. Our dedicated team is committed to providing top-notch ground handling services, from baggage handling to aircraft servicing, with a focus on safety, quality, and efficiency. With Refined Steele as your trusted partner, you can rely on us to ensure that your aircraft operations run smoothly and seamlessly, every step of the way. So, if you're a private jet owner, trust Refined Steele to handle your ground handling needs with professionalism and expertise. With us by your side, you can rest assured that your aircraft will be managed with the highest standards of care and attention, allowing you to enjoy a seamless and worry-free ownership experience. ✈️ Fly with efficiency, fly with Refined Steele! ✈️ #GroundHandling #AirportOperations #EfficientTurnaround #AirportServices #RefinedSteeleExcellence #AviationSupport #FlightSafety #AirportEfficiency

🛫 Ground Handling: Prioritizing Safety, Standards, and Sustainability 🌱 At the recent International Air Transport Association (IATA) Ground Handling Conference (IGHC), three key priorities were underscored for the ground handling sector: ⚠️ 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭: With travel demand set to soar, safety remains paramount. Enhanced Ground Service Equipment (Enhanced GSE) adoption is pivotal, aiming to reduce ground damage costs and enhance overall safety by 42%. Harnessing data and digital solutions further fortifies injury prevention and minimizes loading errors. 🌐 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬: Standardization is the bedrock of efficient operations. Tools like the IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) and the IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) ensure consistency and reliability across the board. 🌍 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐝: A sustainable future requires action now. From promoting professional development with the IATA Ground Operations Training Passport to transitioning to eco-friendly GSE, the industry is steering towards a greener, more prosperous path. "Ground handling is the backbone of aviation. Prioritizing safety, standards, and sustainability ensures we're not just ready for the future, but leading it," emphasizes Monika Mejstrikova, IATA’s Director of Ground Operations. 👉 https://lnkd.in/dcW6T_Fg #AviationSafety #GlobalStandards #SustainableFuture #groundhandling ✈️🌍

Ground handling services at airports can vary based on several factors, including airport size, geographical location, airline requirements, and regulatory obligations. Designated managers play a vital role in promoting these services to the required standard by designing customized service packages, ensuring quality assurance, training staff, and driving continuous improvement. By adapting to specific circumstances and meeting the diverse needs of airlines and passengers, ground handling services contribute significantly to the overall efficiency and passenger experience at airports.

The aviation industry is set to embrace significant changes with the upcoming release of the 45th edition of the IATA Airport Handling Manual (AHM). The updates I find the most interesting are: 💡 Travel Document Check: Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and verifying passenger travel documents. 💡 Handling Unruly Passengers: Ground handling staff have a key role to play in preventing and managing unruly passenger incidents prior to departure. 💡 Guidance on Environmental Management Systems: Forming the backbone for identifying, managing, and minimizing environmental impacts. For more information, refer to the following article:

An interesting article from IATA last week, do you see safety improving and global standards being adhered to in your day to day activities? https://lnkd.in/gfwk7guU #aircargo #ULD #airfreight #cargologistics #aviation #iata #airlines

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) ON FIXED-BASE OPERATOR (FBO) SERVICES IN NIGERIA What is an FBO? A fixed-base operator (FBO) is an organization granted the right by the airport regulatory Agency to operate at the airport and provide specialized aviation support services such as aircraft fueling, hangaring, tie-down and parking, aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance and other ancillary services. Generally, an FBO is the primary provider of support services to General and Business aviation operators at a public-use airport and is on land leased from the airport authority. The term FBO owes its origin to the United States of America, it has become more common in the international aviation industry with the development of business and corporate aviation. What services does a fixed-base operator provide in Nigeria? A fixed-base operator typically offers fueling services, aircraft parking and hangar storage, ground handling services, passenger and crew assistance, concierge services, custom clearance, catering arrangements and aircraft maintenance support. Are fixed-base operators available at all airports in Nigeria? No, not all airports in Nigeria have fixed base operators. FBOs are more commonly found at busier airports like Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja that have a significant amount of Private and General Aviation traffic. Can FBOs assist with aircraft maintenance? Yes, some FBOs have a maintenance department or can arrange maintenance services for visiting aircraft. These FBOs often have certified technicians and can handle routine maintenance tasks or facilitate repairs through partnerships with maintenance providers. Are FBOs in Nigeria available 24/7? Some FBOs in Nigeria operate 24/7, while others may have specific operating hours. EAN Aviation FBO Services EAN Aviation is the first and leading FBO service Company in Nigeria. Our recognition of a deficiency in the Business and corporate aviation sector in Nigeria led us to establish a company that understands the inherent values of fulfilling customer’s needs. We offer corporate aviation services to private jet owners and operate a luxury VIP terminal.  Our purpose-built FBO facility is strategically located at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria where we cater to the diverse business needs of our private and corporate private jet owners. We provide individuals and companies with bespoke-style FBO services crafted to suit each individual’s needs. From pre-arrival through departure, our Customer Relations Officers and flight operations team will accommodate you. We look forward to welcoming you! For further enquiries on our FBO Services, please contact: EAN Aviation Dispatch (24Hrs) GSM: +234 909 2022 001 Email: dispatch@ean.aero   #eanaviation #FBOservicesinNigeria #FBOFAQs

The 3 biggest problems with ground handling operations in an airport. Issue 1: Lack of messaging Those Baggage Processes Messages seem like a great idea to get information about the baggage journey, right? Some airlines, such as United Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Delta Air Lines, thought along the same lines. They decided to open up the Type-B message to their passengers. By converting them to a suitable format, such as XML, passengers can now locate their baggage. So, what’s the issue? In reality, Type-B messages are legacy technology: These systems are not designed to be integrated with newer applications, so the options are limited. Airlines (and passengers!) only receive messages at 4 baggage tracking points: check-in, load, transfer, and arrival. The service is not available on all passengers’ routes. So one flight passengers can track their bag, but on the next flight, they can’t. Outdated technology, lack of tracking, and an inconsistent travel experience … the future of baggage tracking can and should look better! Overview of Type-B messaging for ground handling operations in an airport. Overview of Type-B messaging for ground handling operations in an airport. Customers receive incomplete information, as the system is not updated to connect with the passenger. Issue 2: ULDs, bulk loading, and connecting flights Did you know that the risk of mishandled luggage goes up 8 (!) times for connecting flights? And it doesn’t matter if airlines use ULDs or bulk loading. ULDs are not being tracked along their journey. So again, there are blind spots. As Zhi Yong Liao, Senior Manager, Cargo Safety & ULD at IATA, states: “It is still a pain point that often airlines don’t know where the ULDs are, especially when outsourced to the ground service provider.” Bulk loading involves the time-intensive procedure of manually scanning every dag to trace its destination. This ensures tracking and control but, unfortunately, it doesn’t always happen. In short, bags should be tracked at every stage of the journey with real-time information. Only with a closed data tracking system can airlines ensure optimal baggage handling, and offer a sublime passenger experience. Issue 3: Big investments, small results The Baggage Reconciliation System seems like a great option to decrease the number of mishandled luggage. But because of the high cost of implementing this technology, only big airports use BRS. Numbers show that over the next 9 years, the BRS system will only grow 10%. As it only offers a partial and expensive solution to cover the baggage journey, it’s logical that not many airports are willing to invest. https://lnkd.in/geZyDp9Y

Ground Handling Services: The Backbone of Aviation. Brazil is improving in high quality services. Ground handling services (GHS) are the unsung heroes of the aviation industry. These crucial operations encompass a wide range of activities performed on the ground to ensure the seamless flow of air travel. From the moment an aircraft touches down to its subsequent departure, GHS providers are diligently working behind the scenes to facilitate a safe and efficient journey for passengers and cargo alike. The responsibilities of a ground handling service provider are multifaceted and encompass a vast array of tasks. The complexity of these tasks underscores the need for highly trained and skilled personnel. Regular training is paramount in the ground handling industry. Employees must be well-versed in emergency procedures, safety protocols, and the proper operation of ground support equipment (GSE). GSE machinery is indispensable for efficient ground handling operations. Tugboats, baggage carts, catering trucks, and de-icing vehicles are just a few examples of the equipment used to facilitate aircraft turnaround. The proper maintenance and operation of this machinery are critical to preventing delays and accidents. Technological advancements have led to the development of more sophisticated GSE, such as self-guided vehicles and automated baggage systems, which are enhancing productivity and safety. Third-party ground handling companies have emerged as key players in the aviation industry. These companies offer specialized services and expertise, allowing airlines to focus on their core competencies. By leveraging economies of scale and advanced technology, third-party providers can often deliver cost-effective and efficient ground handling solutions. Their success is driven by a combination of factors, including a strong focus on customer service, operational excellence, and a commitment to innovation. Brazil, as a major aviation market, has recognized the importance of improving ground handling quality. The country has implemented various initiatives to enhance service standards and passenger experience. These efforts include investments in infrastructure, the adoption of advanced technologies, and the development of industry-wide training programs. Additionally, regulatory bodies have played a crucial role in establishing clear guidelines and enforcing compliance. By prioritizing ground handling excellence, Brazil aims to position itself as a leading aviation hub in the region. In conclusion, ground handling services are essential for the smooth operation of airports and the overall success of the aviation industry. The dedicated professionals who work in this field play a vital role in ensuring passenger satisfaction and safety. By investing in training, technology, and infrastructure, the ground handling sector can continue to evolve and meet the increasing demands of the global aviation market.

Uganda Airlines To Expand Fleet with Leased Airbus A320neo Uganda Airlines will next month take an important step towards increasing its operational capacity when it adds an Airbus A320neo to its fleet. A wet-lease agreement, in which the lessor supplies the entire aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance, will enable the acquisition. Uganda Airlines is demonstrating its commitment to growth and service expansion with this strategic move, which coincides with the airline’s finalization of a permanent aircraft acquisition. The Airbus A320neo’s impending arrival indicates the airline’s proactive approach to meeting growing passenger demand and addressing its fleet needs, even though specifics of the lease agreement are still unknown. The chief executive officer of Uganda Airlines, Jennifer Bamuturaki, acknowledged the company’s continuous staffing issues. “We are actively hiring both pilots and flight attendants, both domestically and abroad,” she said. Five pilots have recently retired, which has made the airline’s admission of a staffing shortage, especially in the pilot segment, even more acute. This phenomenon is not specific to Uganda Airlines; rather, it is a reflection of a global trend driven by factors like the aging pilot population, growing demand for air travel, and strict training requirements. Uganda Airlines has temporarily cut its daily flight schedule to Juba and Nairobi from three to two in order to lessen the impact of the staff shortage. The airline’s Director of Operations, David Kaweesi, stressed that despite these modifications, the airline strictly complies with international regulations, guaranteeing sufficient keeping operational integrity and making sure crew members get enough sleep. Uganda Airlines is investigating options, such as raising the retirement age of pilots, in order to address the ongoing challenges, retain experienced staff, and improve its training capabilities. These steps are in line with the airline’s long-term goal of striking a balance between expansion and efficient workforce management in order to maintain safe and effective operations and satisfy the changing demands of its customers.