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Key priorities and initiatives to ensure sustainability in the Ground Handling operations
The IATA Ground Handling Conference (IGHC) stands as the premier annual event in the industry, drawing together esteemed leaders from airlines, airports, ground service providers, and manufacturers.
This year, the 35th IATA Ground Handling Conference (IGHC) in Abu Dhabi, sponsored by Etihad Airways, brought together over 650 industry leaders to discuss key priorities for the ground handling sector, aiming to enhance resilience and ensure long-term sustainability.
IATA has announced three critical priorities: effective staff recruitment and retention, consistent implementation of global standards, and accelerating digitisation and automation.
As stated in the IATA press release, a recent survey revealed concerns regarding staffing shortages, with 37% of ground handling professionals anticipating shortages beyond 2023 and 60% needing more qualified staff for smooth operations. Furthermore, 27% expressed fears of employee attrition.
To address these challenges, IATA proposed several initiatives, including competency-based training with online assessments for improved efficiency, mutual recognition of security training and background records to expedite recruitment, automation of physically challenging tasks, and the promotion of career development and rewards for training and skills.
Monika Mejstrikova, IATA's Director of Ground Operations, emphasised the importance of creating a stable ground handling talent base by making ramp work more attractive, embracing automation, and cultivating a safe and inclusive environment that nurtures talent.
Ink Innovation at IGHC: forming collaborations
Prioritising staff issues, empowering employees, implementing global standards, and accelerating automation aim to overcome challenges, improve efficiency, and ensure sustainable growth in the aviation industry. But that’s not all. There is another crucial piece to the puzzle: the establishment of vibrant and sustainable collaborations. By fostering strong partnerships and fueling collaborative efforts, the industry has the power to unleash a wave of innovation and spearhead solutions that pave the way for resilience.
Javed Malik, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Ink, shared his enthusiasm for an event where ground handlers, technology partners, and airlines came together in powerful collaboration:
'It's a fantastic two-day event now for our industry. And what you're starting to see is the collaboration between ground handlers, technology partners and the airlines all come together. Great vendors, great partners, including ourselves. Ink Innovation is here as part of the engagement that we take part in with our customers, fellow partners, and suppliers. IGHC in Abu Dhabi has been a great two days, and we look forward to continuing the relationships we've formed over the last couple of days.'
Javed Malik
Chairman of the Advisory Board of Ink Innovation
What’s next in store?
'It's the event to come if you want to talk about engagement, collaboration and opportunities and a lot of ideas sharing. So I encourage you to be part of this. We at Ink Innovation take this event as one of our key events to engage our customers and potential customers and look at ways to engage market change, transformation and opportunities for product collaboration. So next time you have the opportunity come down to the IATA IGHC, come and see what we can do together at Ink Innovation.'
Javed Malik
Chairman of the Advisory Board of Ink Innovation
For more information about IGHC, head over to the event’s website.
If you're curious about Ink technology to support ground handling operations and partnership opportunities, send us a message.
