Ground Handling

Aircraft ground handling companies

Ground handling companies look after an aircraft and its passengers between landing and departure. Typical services include ramp handling, marshalling, pushback and towing, baggage and cargo loading, passenger check-in, load control, aircraft cleaning, de-icing and toilet and water service. Airlines usually contract handlers under the IATA Standard Ground Handling Agreement (SGHA), while business aviation crews often book handling through an FBO or a local handling agent.

When comparing handlers, check which airports they cover, whether they hold an IATA ISAGO registration, their hours of operation, the ground support equipment they have for your aircraft type, and whether they can also arrange fuel, slots, permits and crew transport.

There are 52 ground handling companies listed. The largest country groups are Ecuador (4), Pakistan (3), Ethiopia (3), the Netherlands (3) and Costa Rica (3). Companies in this category include:

• Aviapartner, an independent European ground handler working at 75 airports since 1949
• Gerry's dnata, providing ground handling and MRO services across Pakistan
• Aerologística ST, a ground handling and FBO company in Costa Rica
• Airports of Montenegro, the national airport operator, which also handles aircraft
• Flight Support Maldives, offering ground handling, flight support and VIP services

Related services include aircraft tugs and towbarless tractors, aviation fuel suppliers and aviation catering. For further reading, see our guide to airport and ground handling insurance and our article on electric aircraft tugs.