2024 CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
3 December 2024 - Ramp of the future
Join GHI for a special ceremony to champion ground handling excellence and the all-important people who make it happen.
GHI will be shining a light on those who have blazed a trail in delivering innovation, safety advances, service quality and passenger satisfaction. To mark GHI’s 25th Annual anniversary, the awards will also include a special Lifetime Achiever Award to acknowledge an industry leader who has pioneered excellence and enhanced ground handling reputation around the world over the past 25 years.
Upon our 25th Annual anniversary, GHI will ask industry leaders to give us their expert insight on how they see the ground handler and aviation environment changing shape in tomorrow’s world. Do robots and autonomous GSE replace all human resources on the apron? What are the key tenants of the SGHA in 2050? And, could a race to the bottom left unchecked have sparked airlines and airports to return to self-handling?
The panel will share their assessments. GHI will also reveal the findings of exclusive research among aviation leaders on what they see as the key trends of the apron and the wider industry by 2050.
Take our Ramp 2050 survey
SHIRE, a true work horse.
The SHIRE line features three brand-new electric tow tractors designed to revolutionize the GSE market with unparalleled efficiency and reduced emissions. The SHIRE series embodies M-ECS's commitment to both economic viability and environmental friendly.
The product launch will highlight the technical features of the tow tractors and available software add-ons to boost your operations.
Toon Mertens, Managing Director, M-ECS
Polaris Resources Management Solution (RMS) is designed to tackle the challenges of rising operational costs, staffing issues, and resource inefficiencies in the aviation industry. By utilising real-time, AI-driven task dispatching and planning optimisation – Polaris enhances cost control, service quality, and staff experience. Key benefits include reducing labour costs, improving task completion efficiency, and minimising delays. With powerful reporting tools, integrated planning, and streamlined communication, Polaris enables airlines and ground operations to meet the demands of increasing passenger volumes and operational complexities while maintaining high service standards and operational effectiveness.
KC Teo and Vincent Wang
Discover how our Turnaround Management Platform revolutionises operational tracking and automates post-flight reporting. In this 15-minute demonstration, you'll experience the platform’s intuitive user interface, explore its flexible customisation options, and see first-hand how it empowers data-driven decision-making to optimize your operations.
This case study will go behind the scenes with ACT and British Airways to explore how they have reconfigured ramp facilities to be ready for a more sustainable age at BA’s London Heathrow hub. What were the challenges and how did the team overcome them? What advice can be offered on optimising the business case for electrification? And, how should aviation stakeholders build in charging capacity that is going to be fit for future GSE demand?
How can AI and new technology platforms help us appeal to a wider pool of employee talent? And once, we have found a talented team member then how might flexible shift patterns, career development plans or other non-financial motivators help retain them? GHI invites operators to share their firsthand experience of the most effective methods in recruiting and retaining people talent.
ID90 Travel provides a SaaS platform that supports flight ticketing for leisure or business travel for eligible ground handlers. We are a Closed User Group specific to airlines, ground-handlers and aviation-related employees who can extend the benefits to their family & friends. We also offer access to deep industry-discounts to 1,800,000 global hotels, rental cars, and cruises. We are focused on helping companies retain and recruit talent. D90 Travel is trusted by top companies like United, Hawaiian, Frontier, Alaska, Spirit, Swissport, Menzies Aviation, Dnata and AGI/ATS.
easie Turnaround Management System (TAMS) monitors turnaround activities in real time, identifies critical path dynamically and suggest service alternatives to optimize workflows, reduce delays, and improve turnaround times.
AI capabilities also allow TAMS to predict disruptions in advance, and proactively recommend corrective actions before the operation.
This comprehensive approach enables airlines to improve turnaround times and on-time departure performance.
Soren Charles, Sales Director, easie by Icron
This session will invite battery suppliers and GSE manufacturers to detail some of the most exciting advances in GSE battery technology that can help operators advance the electrification of fleets, while airport charging infrastructure lags behind. The panel will explore sodium-ion, solid state and other pretenders to lithium ion as the GSE battery type of choice. We’ll also hear the expert view on measures like utilising airport buildings as energy power banks and battery as a service as bridgeheads to a more sustainable GSE age.
4 December 2024 - Skills, people and productivity
GHI invites rising stars aged 30 or under working at leading aviation operators to give us their mandate for change and improvement in the industry they’ll lead by 2050. How does gen Z perceive work-life balance, digital platforms, communication styles and organisational culture differently to earlier generations? The panel, which will be recorded as an episode of the GHI Podcast, will ask these CEOs of tomorrow to talk candidly about the future that they will define.
GHI invites C-level leaders at ground handling businesses for a no-holds barred discussion on tackling some of the seismic challenges sweeping across the sector. From standing tall with airline customers to achieve more sustainable contract margins to a proactive approach to developing future leadership talent within their operations. The session will ask leaders to reveal their defining challenges and a gameplan for turning crisis into opportunity.
The Resource Management Software Suite by INPUT SOFT streamlines airport ground operations with tools for fixed, human, and technical resource planning, staff rostering, real-time planning, and analytics. Airports and ground handlers benefit from optimised resource allocation, efficient staff utilisation, and faster responses to operational disruptions, enabling real-time adjustments to flight delays or staff shortages. The RMS suite, equipped with AI and advanced optimisation algorithms, enhances on-time performance through proactive resource management. Join our demonstration to discover how data-driven decisions drive continuous improvement and help you operate more efficiently and cost-effectively.
Anastasiia Smyk, CEO, Input Soft
Discover how to innovate and take control of your ground operations with Rsmart's cutting-edge solutions. In this live demonstration, learn how RsmarTurn and ResoSmart help ground handlers improve Service Level Agreements (SLA), enhance On-Time Performance (OTP), and drive cost efficiency with real-time, on-the-day interventions. Hear success stories from existing clients who have identified and resolved revenue leakages using empirical data gathered through the RsmarTurn mobile app and the ResoSmart roster management system.
This session, presented by Rajan, CBO of Rsmart, and Keith, former CEO of a ground handling company, is perfect for those looking to elevate their operational standards and move beyond the “we’ve always done it this way” mindset. Don't miss this opportunity to embrace innovation and enhance your ground handling efficiency.
Armed with hi-vis, safety boots and a camera crew, GHI Chairman, Max Gosney, reports on going back to the ramp with the Viggo team at Schiphol Airport pre-conference. The behind the scenes visit includes interviews with team leaders, safety managers and operatives on the biggest constraints facing handling teams and the opportunities to entice more young talent into the world of turnarounds. Jelmer Melissen will give insight on what we found as Viggo’s CTC and lead the discussion points.
Airports have a clear objective to achieve zero-emissions by the early 2030s. The impetus will be on ground handling operations to adapt and innovate to achieve the path to a more sustainable future. New services such as batteries as a service and power storage offer fascinating footpaths to the greener age. How will ground operations adapt to refuelling becoming recharging of battery electric aircraft? The panel will investigate the next steps towards electrification and the airport infrastructure investments needed to support the zero emission age.
Join us at Damarel as we showcase the latest generation of the FiNDnet Suite—an enterprise-level turnaround management, service capture, and billing solution. Whether you're a small operation or a global ground handler, FiNDnet offers a class-leading solution used worldwide to seamlessly coordinate, monitor, and enhance all aspects of airport operations. It comprehensively addresses your operational and business processes and leverages automation to drive cost reduction, performance enhancement, and revenue growth.
Join us to see how the latest version features a complete mobility solution for SLA monitoring and event timings, ensuring that FiNDnet empowers you to deliver unparalleled service.
FiNDnet. Your workforce, connected.
Paul Bruton, Senior Consultant, Damarel Systems
This session will explore how easyJet developed a dynamic partnership with its handling partners to ensure employees don’t approach aircraft with engines running. This is a story of engagement from handlers to keep people safe with a safety campaign including videos and songs The easyJet initiative has handed handlers the star role as the safety experts who are best placed to guide the safest procedures during turnaround.
Cohelion delivers continuous profitability metrics for your GH-operations, using Activity Based Costing. These insights are used to reduce idle time, guide contract negotiations and detect revenue slippage, leading to real profitability improvements. Activity Based Costing is also the basis for dynamic Peak-pricing. The core of our SAAS solution is a Data Analytics Engine that utilises data from your IT systems. With a proven GH Cost allocation framework we guarantee a smooth implementation. Implementation time is 2 to 4 months. #GH_Profitability #ReduceIDLE #DynamicPricing #ActivityBasedCosting
Roeland Krom, CEO, Cohelion
For a second year running, GHI is gathering four forward-thinking airport leaders at our Annual Conference to host 15-minute roundtables on key operational challenges where airports, ground handlers, and suppliers can collaborate for mutual success.
Topics include:
• Sustainable Operations - GSE and beyond: Tackling carbon reduction in terminal and airside operations.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Leveraging AI and predictive analytics for better resource allocation.
• Managing Staffing Challenges: Solutions for training, retaining, and effectively deploying skilled personnel.
• Baggage Handling Efficiency: Overcoming bottlenecks in baggage management and transfer.
This session will invite leading operators and influencers to discuss the power of Insta, TikTok and other social media channels in connecting aviation with a new talent pipeline. The panel will give their advice on the best way to build your business’ online presence. What are the dos and don’ts of a social media strategy.
The exoskeleton is a powered, super-human style suit that can be worn by ramp operatives to enhance their lifting capacity and endurance. Could this innovation be a game changer for reducing musculoskeletal injuries, sick leave and making the apron a more accessible/enjoyable place to work? This panel will investigate the concept and round up all the latest ramp GSE innovations that could aid more ergonomic and safer loading activities in the hold.
Join Moonware Founder & CEO Javier Vidal as he unveils groundbreaking technologies to redefine efficiency, automation, and coordination in the aviation industry. Discover how Ground Traffic Control is transforming airfields and setting new standards for the future of aviation.
Most employers track staff attendance, sickness and on the job performance intensively via a host of KPIs. But, are we missing a huge opportunity by not assessing an employee’s overall health and happiness as a leading performance metric? This session will make the business case for building a proactive bid to address your employee wellbeing and avoiding an estimated £322billion being lost globally to high turnover and poor productivity by ignoring this critical issue.
5 December 2024 - Cargo focused day
The air cargo market has enjoyed a spectacular renaissance in 2024 with eight straight months of double digit year-on-year growth. With global trade on the rise, e-commerce continuing to soar and restrictions on maritime trade – are we entering a golden era of growth for air cargo? This session will assess the market trends expected in 2025 and how GSPs can capitalise.
E-commerce will record another year of double digit growth in 2024 with more of the same forecast for next year in a market that is worth nearly $19 trillion globally. With air cargo capacity already stretched, how are operators on the ground investing in their facilities and fleets to ensure they keep pace?
SHIRE, a true work horse. The SHIRE line features three brand-new electric tow tractors designed to revolutionize the GSE market with unparalleled efficiency and reduced emissions. The SHIRE series embodies M-ECS's commitment to both economic viability and environmental friendly. The product launch will highlight the technical features of the tow tractors and available software add-ons to boost your operations.
In a world where data is power, providing planning and real-time visibility to the air cargo customer is a must. Cargo iQ, a collaboration of airlines, handlers, airports and freight forwarders, is developing new ground handling standards to enable proactive shipment performance management with milestones such as load instruction report, aircraft loading started/ended and aircraft unloading started/ended. This session will show how these metrics can drive cargo handling excellence.
This session will invite suppliers and cargo leaders to detail the most dynamic digital innovations being deployed within their cargo operations to drive OTP and safety. We’ll look at the latest examples of warehouse robots/drones and their impact on picking errors and productivity.
GHI concludes our anniversary Annual by inviting key supporters to share some of their favourite memories of GHI Conferences of yesteryear. We’ll also be asking industry leaders to reflect on the changing shape of aviation and the greatest ground handling innovations since GHI launched the Annual in 1999.
