Ground safety standards must be harmonized worldwide in order to improve ground safety at the world’s airports, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) says.
Nick Careen, IATA vice president for airport, passenger, cargo and security, told the 31st IATA Ground Handling Conference on Monday in Doha, Qatar, that effective ground operations “are an essential part of the airline industry’s efforts to meet the forecast growth in demand for air connectivity.”
Careen added, “Aviation grows safer when global standards are consistently applied.”
IATA has urged the ground handling industry to speed its adoption of the IATA Ground Operations Manual, arguing that such action would ensure safety and operational consistency throughout the industry.
Careen said national governments also should recognize IATA’s Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) as an acceptable method of compliance for oversight of outsourced ground operations services.
“This will foster harmonization across the industry, reduce redundant audits, improve safety and enhance operational efficiency,” Careen said.
The ISAGO registry includes more than 230 ground service providers that operate about 450 registered stations at more than 300 airports around the world, IATA said.