The International Air Transport Association has urged the aviation industry to modernise and digitise ground handling operations to curb aircraft damage and boost efficiency.

Highlighting the importance of upgrading ground support equipment fleets, IATA’s Director of Ground Operations, Monika Mejstrikova, noted that ground-related aircraft damage continues to rank among the sector’s most persistent operational and financial challenges.

“Aircraft ground damage is one of the most persistent operational and financial risks in ground handling, with more than 29,000 aircraft ground damage events reported in 2025. Unless we reduce the rate of these incidents, costs will multiply as the industry grows. But modernisation is not only about making equipment safer, but it is also about making it cleaner. Technology can help on both fronts. Two priorities are the transition to enhanced GSE and electric GSE,” Mejstrikova said.

According to IATA, the Enhanced GSE Recognition Programme, introduced in 2024 to accelerate the adoption of ground support equipment equipped with anti-collision technology, has attracted over 450 applications.

The association said it has validated 187 stations and recognised 75 stations for their efforts in reducing operational risk.
On electric ground support equipment, IATA noted that although Sustainable Aviation Fuel remains central to aviation decarbonisation, there are also significant opportunities at ground level.

It added that electric GSE could reduce turnaround emissions by between 35 per cent and 52 per cent, depending on the equipment mix and the source of electricity.

The association also said it has recently released practical guidance to help airports and ground handlers transition from fuel-powered to electric fleets.

Speaking on digitalisation challenges in ground handling operations, Mejstrikova noted that fragmented data, manual processes, and delays in information flow continue to undermine safety and operational efficiency.

“Too many ground handling processes still rely on disconnected systems, manual inputs, and delayed information. These gaps in data create opportunities for mistakes to happen, bags to be misplaced, aircraft to be loaded incorrectly, and risks identified too late. Better data gives operators the visibility they need to enable faster, better decisions,” Mejstrikova said.

IATA identified baggage handling, aircraft loading, and de-icing operations as key areas where digitalisation could deliver significant operational improvements.

The association said its newly developed IATA Baggage Community System would link airlines, airports, and ground handlers on a unified platform, enabling real-time data sharing and enhanced baggage visibility.
It also disclosed that nearly 38,000 loading errors were reported in 2025.

According to IATA, the X565 data standard is modernising the exchange of loading information by replacing manual processes with faster and more accurate digital workflows.