Ground handling is a key, albeit often "invisible" part of air traffic. Every flight begins and ends on the ground - during refueling, loading baggage, checking in passengers, or preparing the aircraft for departure.
Due to the importance of these activities, there is already a focus on these activities today. a number of safety and operational requirementsHowever, these have not yet been regulated within the European Union on a uniform basis, but only through national rules, airport procedures or contractual relationships between carriers and service providers.
This inconsistency at the level of individual Member States should be eliminated new Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/20, which supplements Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council by setting requirements for the safe provision of ground handling services and for the organisations providing them.
This regulation namely, it introduces a uniform European regulatory framework for the provision of ground handling services.
What does the new ground handling adjustment bring?
- uniform safety requirements for ground handling throughout the EU,
- obligation to formally declare compliance with regulatory requirements,
- introduction Safety Management System (SMS),
- obligation to create Ground Handling Manual and standardized procedures,
- emphasis on personnel qualifications and regulatory oversight.
Who do the changes affect?
- ground handling service providers,
- self-handling air carriers,
- airports and other entities involved in ground operations.
Until when must the rules be applied?
The entities concerned will have to comply with these requirements to be declared by 2027, with full application of the rules expected from 2028.
Given the scope of the new obligations – particularly in the area of Safety Management System, internal documentation, operating procedures and personnel training - we recommend starting preparations for implementation now.
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