Ground handling has always been framed as “keep it safe, keep it on time”. While the saying still holds truth, the industry landscape has seen major shifts. In the last decade, aviation has faced unprecedented turbulence, pandemic disruptions, supply chain volatility, and the growing trend for digitalization and sustainability. Global guidance emphasizes that consistent standards and training are foundational to safety and efficiency. In practice, that means fewer bespoke procedures, more codified processes, and tighter alignment to industry manuals and data models.
The industry has been explicit about what “good” looks like. The Airport Handling Manual (AHM) and IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) defines the “what” and “how” of ground handling, from passenger flow to load control. Standardization reduces operator variation, simplifies training, and limits rework caused by airline specific deviations. Yet even a single station deviation can ripple through the system. When networks depend on cross-qualified staff and shared service-level agreements, one inconsistency can quickly become a systemic risk.
That’s why the ground operations standards agenda exists: to anchor practices in globally recognized references (AHM/IGOM), strengthen safety oversight, and advance digitalization on the ramp. By embedding consistency into both procedures and data flows, the industry minimizes the risks of fragmented paper trails and siloed systems.
Ground handling standards evolve fast. IGOM updates, audit frameworks, and operational guidance shift with each edition. Staying aligned is the difference between a clean audit and a corrective-action backlog.
Taking the initiative means more than staying informed, it means getting involved. Joining the Ground Handling Partnership (GHP) gives you early visibility into upcoming changes and a seat at the table where standards are shaped. Members influence revisions, access certification pathways, and engage directly with airlines, handlers, and OEMs to address shared operational challenges.
Standards don’t wait. Neither should you. Integrate into the community shaping them.
The IATA Ground Handling Partnership (GHP) program is the industry’s structured integration point for ground service providers. In addition to receiving the GHP certification, member organizations join critical conversations that shape standards and priorities, strengthen relationships with stakeholders, and acknowledge contributions to efficiency and sustainability initiatives. In 2025, 115 organizations worldwide recognized this and joined the GHP program to strengthen their role in shaping the future of ground operations.
Registration for the 2026 cycle is open. Upon completing registration, organizations gain a set of enablers that map directly to operational readiness and industry influence:
