PREFACE

What is ground handling?

Ground handling is also commonly known as airport handling service or traffic services. A passion for interacting with different types of people, having different cultures, religions help you to interact with them all at one place in the airport when working as a customer service agent in the airport ground handling service or traffic services. This is one of the most important departments and this is where the first point of contact takes place (Moment of Truth) between the passenger and the airline.

The importance of passenger handling is based on the highest level and cycle of service which is provided to the travelling passenger by the airline staff and this is the department which is the first to come in contact and deliver the required service. The level of service has to be constant and there is a chain reaction on the cycle of service on the basis of which the department functions.

Many airlines subcontract ground handling to an airport or a handling agent or even to another airline. Ground handling addresses the many service requirements of a passenger aircraft between the time it arrives at the terminal gate and the time it departs on the next flight. Speed, efficiency and accuracy are important in ground handling services in order to minimize the turnaround time. (The time which the aircraft must be remain parked at the gate).

Airlines may also contract for ground handling services under the terms of standard ground handling agreement (SGHA) that is updated and re-published from time to time by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Airlines may also contract for ground handling services under non-standard terms.

INTRODUCTION TO AIRPORTS – TYPES, OPERATIONS, SERVICES & FEATURES

Airport is a transportation center used for the landing and takeoff of aircraft. Airports provide transportation not only for people but also for freight, such as mail, perishable foods, and other important items.

An airport is composed of several areas and structures that are designed to serve the needs of both aircraft and passengers. Runways are the long, narrow areas where airplanes take off and land. Taxiways are paths that aircraft follow from the runways to the terminal building, where passenger’s board and exit aircraft at areas called gates located within the terminal. The terminal also contains ticket and baggage counters. The control tower is located near the terminal. From this tower, people involved in air traffic control coordinate aircraft movement both in the air and on the ground. Maintenance and refueling facilities for aircraft are located near the runways or in nearby hangars. For security purposes, access to major airports is usually limited to special roads. Many airports have large automobile parking areas or multi storey ramps to accommodate travelers.