ASA World

ASA World, the Global Ground Handling Association, is the international organisation for ground and cargo handling. It describes itself as the only ICAO-recognised international body for the sector and represents ground handling organisations that together employ more than 1.1 million workers and operate at over 750 airports and stations worldwide. Based at Im Singeisenhof 9, 4125 Riehen, Switzerland, the association advocates for harmonised standards and a safe and sustainable aviation system, and calls itself the global voice of ground handling. Its leadership team draws on experience in ground handling safety and standards, airport management, governance and policy; Waleed, who joined in 2025, brings experience in airport privatisation, economic regulation and policy, and the team includes a director of safety and standards.

Policy pillars

• Harmonisation of global industry and safety standards for consistent, safe and efficient ground operations
• Workforce: talent attraction, fair work practices and competency-based training
• Sustainability: the sector's transition to net zero through innovation, electric ground support equipment, enabling infrastructure and cost recovery
• Fair commercial frameworks and investment recovery mechanisms for long-term operational health

Programmes and resources

The ASA World Training Accreditation Programme (ATAP) assesses and accredits ground handling organisations' training against IATA AHM Chapter 1100, so that staff trained by one accredited organisation do not need retraining when moving to another. The association publishes papers including an informational paper on the role of ground handling, which it says generated USD 64 billion in revenue and supported nearly 3 million jobs in 2023, papers on aviation's contribution to the UN 2030 sustainable development agenda, on meeting airports' growing energy demand for decarbonisation, and on the Global Aviation and Aerospace Skills Taskforce (GAAST). Members take part in workshops, conferences, webinars and networking events, receive benchmarking reports built from survey data, and contribute to policy through collaboration with international regulators.

Shows

ASA World appears in the partner lists of the Asian GHI Conference 2027 and the Annual GHI Conference 2026, where it is listed as an event partner.

Contact

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