Aviation has spent decades refining Standard Operating Procedures, measuring every minute and deploying new technology - yet incidents and procedural deviations persist, frontline turnover remains high and familiar themes keep arising. What if the next operational breakthrough isn’t another procedure, system or technology, but a better understanding of the human beings expected to make it all work? Chaired by leading aviation analyst John Strickland, Andy and Kirsty Dobson of Clarity& will bring together operational leaders, real-world evidence and the reality of the aircraft turnaround to challenge long-held assumptions about safety, performance and compliance - exploring what happens when operational pressure, commercial imperatives and human performance collide, and what it could mean for the next leap in safety, resilience and operational performance.

Lunch is included for all attendees and will be served in the exhibition hall

The ramp can be a dangerous environment, with the safety of the ground handler remaining a priority. There are already precautions in place to prevent accidents, but what else can be done? What technologies to protect handlers from dangerous equipment? Should training measures be adapted or changed? This session will address what is being done to prioritise handler competency and reduce any potential dangers

High turnover and a decreasing number of individuals in the ground handling workforce is placing additional pressure on the industry. There must be a mindset shift, where ground handling can be seen as a career. What are the career pathways for young people entering the industry? What does the progression look like? What will they be being doing? This panel will address the issues with staffing and retention in the industry but also identify ‘Who are the Next Generation of Ground Handling?’.

The move to fully autonomous GSE seems inevitable. New and innovative technologies are being deployed on the ramp, increasing the efficiency of airport operations and reducing the pressure on ground handlers on the ramp. Having no ‘human-handlers’ on the ramp is a big shift and there are a lot of changes to be made. This panel will address the fundamental changes in airport operations when moving from Level 3 to Level 4 automation, the infrastructure required for full-automation, and discuss the positive business case for the technology.

Ground Support Equipment remains the backbone of ground handling operations across the globe, without fully functional equipment efficiency decreases, operations break down, and accidents can occur. Predictive, preventative, and real time maintenance are essential for instant accessibility to fully operational GSE. This panel will also address the importance of AI technology in locating GSE and managing GSE fleets.

A new addition to the GHI Conference Agenda! 6 start-up companies will pitch their company to three Ground Handlers in the chance to win a meeting one of the World leaders in the industry. Are you one of the World’s leading innovators in Ground Handling? View full information here.

Lunch is included for all attendees and will be served in the exhibition hall

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