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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged for increased adoption of global standards and for moving towards advanced ground handling equipment (GSE) and digitalization within the industry. The move will help enhance safety, efficiency, sustainability, and resilience in the field of ground handling. The announcement was made during the 38th edition of the IATA Ground Handling Conference (IGHC), which kicked off in Cairo under the auspices of EgyptAir.
“While ground handling is usually invisible to passengers, its impact on their travel experience is obvious when something goes wrong. Be it a delay in receiving baggage, damage to aircraft, a mistake in loading, or a problem with turnaround. Such incidents take only a few minutes, but their consequences can affect a whole network. Increased implementation of standards, advanced equipment, and digitalization are essential foundations of future ground handling operations,” explained Monika Mejstrikova, IATA’s Director Ground Operations.
According to the recent statistics on ground handling safety by IATA, there have been no fatalities and only one serious injury reported from ground handling in 2025, among nearly 40 million flights. Standards are essential for ensuring safe and efficient ground operations. The IGOM and the AHM are considered critical guidelines for all airlines and ground handling service providers (GHSPs). As per IATA, there is a need to move faster towards the implementation of these standards, avoid any unnecessary variations, and increase the utilization of audit programs like ISAGO.
Damage to aircraft on the ground is one of the most enduring operational and financial hazards in ground handling, with nearly 29,000 incidents of aircraft ground damage occurring in 2025. However, unless we manage to decrease the frequency of such cases, the expenses will escalate as our industry continues to grow. Modernization, however, involves much more than just ensuring that our equipment is safe. It must also be environmentally friendly. “One of the two priorities is a move towards improved GSE and electric GSE,” said Mejstrikova.
Disjointed data, manual work, and delayed data are still significant obstacles to improved safety and efficiency in ground handling.
“Ground handling processes continue to depend heavily on disjointed systems, manual entries, and delayed data. This gap in the availability of data creates chances for errors, lost luggage, misloaded planes, and the identification of hazards late in the process. Data leads to greater visibility and decision-making,” said Mejstrikova.
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Global air and travel services provider dnata has expanded its long-standing partnership with Lödige Industries to enhance cargo handling operations at Singapore Changi Airport, reinforcing its commitment to operational efficiency and long-term infrastructure reliability. Under the renewed agreement, Lödige Industries will continue maintaining and upgrading multiple cargo handling systems across dnata’s facilities at Singapore Changi Airport. The scope of work includes the Automatic Cargo Handling System (ACHS), Pallet Cargo Handling System (PCHS), as well as mechanical systems supporting dnata’s cool chain and perishables operations. A key highlight of the collaboration is the continued support for the first material handling system installed by Lödige in Asia in 1979. The system, which has been operational for more than four decades, is now undergoing upgrades aimed at improving long-term performance and supporting rising cargo volumes in Singapore’s fast-growing airfreight market. The partnership reflects dnata’s broader strategy to modernise cargo infrastructure while ensuring uninterrupted service reliability. Singapore remains one of dnata’s most significant cargo hubs globally, with the company’s Changi facilities capable of handling approximately 550,000 tonnes of cargo annually. Industry observers note that investments in automated cargo systems and predictive maintenance are becoming increasingly critical as airports and ground handlers face pressure to improve turnaround efficiency, reduce downtime and support temperature-sensitive cargo flows. The Singapore operation is particularly important for pharmaceutical, perishables and e-commerce shipments moving through Southeast Asia. Lödige Industries has previously supported dnata through several infrastructure enhancement projects at Changi Airport, including upgrades to perishables handling facilities and the implementation of elevating transfer vehicle systems. Beyond Singapore, the two companies have also collaborated on cargo terminal developments and system upgrades in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, London Heathrow and Amsterdam Schiphol airports. The renewed agreement underscores a growing trend in the air cargo sector where operators are prioritising lifecycle extension and technology upgrades over complete system replacement. By modernising existing infrastructure while maintaining operational continuity, dnata aims to strengthen service resilience and prepare for future cargo demand growth across Asia-Pacific. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 https://cargoconnect.co.in/ 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
GEODIS has partnered with Rotate to strengthen its air cargo market visibility and improve data-driven decision-making across its global air freight operations. The collaboration will see GEODIS integrate Rotate’s Live Capacity and Air Demand solutions into its air freight network, giving the company deeper insight into global cargo capacity trends, demand shifts, and emerging trade opportunities. The move reflects a wider industry push towards predictive analytics and enhanced visibility as supply chains face continued volatility from geopolitical developments, changing trade flows, and fluctuating cargo demand. Rotate’s Live Capacity platform delivers hourly visibility into worldwide air cargo supply using real-time aircraft positioning data. The platform tracks all carriers, airports, and active flights globally, including freighter aircraft, charter operations, and passenger bellyhold capacity. Historical datasets dating back to 2018 will also allow GEODIS to analyse long-term structural changes in the air cargo market and better anticipate future trends. Complementing this capability is Rotate’s Air Demand solution, which combines trade data, cargo flow intelligence, and external market sources to provide demand visibility across major global trade lanes. The platform offers insights into more than 5,000 commodities, including fast-growing sectors such as semiconductors, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and cross-border e-commerce. Monthly updates and historical demand data dating back to 2010 are expected to support GEODIS in identifying shifting customer demand patterns and new commercial opportunities. Ryan Keyrouse, Cofounder and Chief Executive of Rotate, said the partnership highlights the growing importance of turning complex market data into actionable intelligence for logistics providers operating in increasingly dynamic air cargo markets. Casper Hedemann, Senior Vice President of Global Air Freight at GEODIS, noted that access to timely and accurate market intelligence has become critical as the air cargo industry continues to evolve rapidly. He added that the collaboration with Rotate would support the company’s efforts to advance a more data-driven approach across its operations. The agreement underscores the logistics sector’s accelerating adoption of digital tools, real-time analytics, and predictive technologies aimed at improving operational agility, market responsiveness, and supply chain resilience in an increasingly uncertain global trade environment. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 https://cargoconnect.co.in/ 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
DHL Express announced the worldwide expansion of its Time Definite International portfolio with the introduction of Heavy Weight Express (HWX), an express air solution for shipments up to 1,000 kilograms per piece and 3,000 kilograms per shipment. With this launch, DHL Express strengthens its role as leading global integrator capable of moving heavyweight cargo with express speed and reliability across more than 220 countries and territories, supported by a dedicated aviation and ground network that ensures stable uplift, predictable transit times, and globally consistent handling standards. Heavy Weight Express is designed to meet the needs of industries where shipment reliability and timing are critical business drivers. The service integrates fast, time definite delivery with full end to end control, proactive monitoring, and transparent all in pricing that eliminates the rate volatility and cost uncertainties associated with other areas of freight. Customers benefit from guaranteed express transit times, comprehensive shipment visibility at every stage, and DHL's uncompromising operational standards, including stringent handling procedures for shock sensitive, high value, or regulated goods. DHL Express CEO John Pearson said "Heavy Weight Express represents a strategically important step for our business, expanding the value that DHL Express brings to global supply chains. As industries face rising volatility, increasingly complex production cycles, and significant financial exposure from delays and supply chain disruption, DHL's ability to offer express level speed, access to capacity and higher reliability for shipments up to 3,000 kilograms fundamentally changes the service levels that customers can expect from their logistics provider." The introduction of HWX is supported by the introduction of dedicated Heavy Weight Priority Desks around the world. These specialized teams are responsible for proactive tracking, early exception detection, real time intervention, and direct communication with customers to ensure uninterrupted shipment flow. Each heavyweight shipment receives dedicated case ownership, giving customers predictability and personal attention often associated with smaller or specialist logistics providers, but with the additional advantage of DHL's global integrator infrastructure, standardized processes, and 24/7 operational control. The solution directly addresses six critical heavyweight use cases observed across global industries: avoiding production downtime, managing program and product launches with immovable timelines, optimizing working capital by reducing inventory buffers, supporting procurement driven large scale shipping environments, complying with stringent special handling requirements, and stabilizing complex multi-site supply chains. These use cases are especially prominent in the technology sector, automotive manufacturing, engineering and machinery, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and the oil and gas and energy sectors-industries where even small delays can result in severe financial impacts. Reducing shippers' dependence on fluctuating airline capacity and removing the cost variability of add on fees and handling surcharges, HWX offers customers the stability of a single carrier from pickup to delivery. DHL Express manages its own aircraft fleet, hubs, gateways, customs operations, and last mile delivery-providing customers with predictability even during periods of global disruption or limited air capacity. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 https://cargoconnect.co.in/ 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
