Hightime to enforce rules

The Ground Handling business is time-sensitive and requires massive investment. Perhaps, what is most important, writes PREM BAJAJ, is the strict adherence to safety and security and that can only be achieved if the Ground Handling Regulations are followed in letter and spirit.

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Ground Handling Services is a highly professional, sensitive, organised and process-driven industry that has to perform flawlessly. Although it is manpower-oriented, the selection of personnel is unlike any other – be it housekeeping, hospitality or other kinds. So, Ground Handling (GH) requires specialised, trained, and highly-skilled manpower. Airport GH services become an intricate part of an airline process and plays a vital role in ensuring safety and security in airport functioning. The world market for ground handling per annum is estimated at $ 80-200 bn.

A look, at the busiest airports in the world, highlights the importance of well-maintained and regulated ground handling. In this regard, it is rather unfortunate and dismal to find the Indian Ground Handling scenario lacking in the implementation of regulations which were intended to form the net of safety around some of the busiest airports in the country. However, some of the recent steps taken by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation would make our airports more effective and secured.

The laws, governing ground handling in the airports in the European Union (EU), and at other major airports across the world are formulated keeping in mind the cost-efficiency of airport processes and the security of the airport. Thus, while economies of scale are taken into consideration to determine the number of ground handlers required per airport, their small numbers ensure increase in efficiency and manageability of the security processes.