European approach to regulating Ground Handling Organisations

Background 

In recent years, EASA has identified Ground Handling as an area where a number of incidents have occurred, resulting in damage to aircraft and equipment, and physical injuries, with a significant impact on aerodrome operators, GHSPs and Airlines. Their aim in developing new regulations is to maintain a high level of safety and a level playing field across Europe. 

The Basic Regulation 2018/1139 already contains Essential Requirements (Annex VII parts 4 and 5) for Ground Handling Organisations (GHO). As a result of Rulemaking Task (RMT) 0728, EASA has recently published an Opinion (01/2024) together with draft Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material Ground-handling Services. These proposed Rules include Authority Requirements (ARGH), Organisation Requirements (ORGH) and Operational Requirements (GH.OPS) applicable for GHO, Aerodromes offering Ground Handling services as well as Self-Handlers. The rules for GHOs are expected to be adopted in 2025. 

New Requirements for GHOs and CAAs 

GHOs, Aerodrome Operators and CAAs will need to apply these Rules fully, and they will also need to comprehend interfaces to other EU/EASA Regulations. The latest Opinion proposes to also amend Regulation (EU) 965/2012 (Air Operations), Regulation (EU) 139/2014 (Aerodromes) and Regulation (EU) 2022/1645 (Management of information security risks with a potential impact on aviation safety). 

Some interesting key facts about the new regulation are: 

• GHOs will have to submit a declaration to the Competent Authority before start of service 
• With the declaration, GHOs will move into the oversight scope of the national CAA(s) and will therefore be audited on a regular basis 
• CAAs will have to commit to closely cooperating with other Member States’ CAAs to ensure a seamless and coordinated oversight of multi-national GHOs (Cooperative Oversight) 
• GHOs may apply industry standards as far as they have been acknowledged by EASA 
• GHOs will have to operate under a management system (incl. Safety Management System, Compliance Monitoring, Change Management, Training Programme, Fatigue Prevention Programme and more) 
• In cases where certified Aerodrome Operators also perform Ground Handling, they may opt for an integrated Management System 

Outlook 

Considering the (non-exhaustive) list of requirements above, it is expected that the ground handling industry and CAAs in Europe will have to go through a holistic change process in terms of safety regulation and oversight in the coming years. It may also be expected that other regions around the world will follow the example of this step towards harmonising ground handling regulations. 

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