Strengthening Ground Handling’s Voice | Q2 2026

This quarter was a reminder of why ASA exists. From Japan to Morocco, Brussels to Bangkok, Cairo to Montreal and on to Panama, our message held steady: aviation is safer, smoother, and more resilient when ground handlers are in the room where decisions are made, not handed the plan once it is set.

We carried that case to the tables that matter this quarter, and our members carried it with us. The progress is real, on standards, on the value of a skilled workforce, and on ground handling’s place in the conversations that shape policy.

I also want to speak to the news many of you have seen. I have decided to step down later this year. I remain fully in post through the transition, and the work continues at pace while the Supervisory Board begins the search for the next Director-General. Leading ASA has been a privilege. The mission is bigger than any one of us, and it is in good hands.

Dr Waleed Youssef
Director-General, ASA World

ICAO–ASA Memorandum of Understanding (14–16 April)

At GISS 2026 in Marrakech, ASA signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), becoming the first ground handling trade association to join ICAO’s TRAINAIR PLUS Programme as a Corporate Training Partner. The partnership will develop and deliver globally standardized, competency-based training for the
ground handling industry. Its first joint course, “Going Beyond Standardized Procedures in Aircraft Turnaround,” will carry a credential jointly certified by ASA World and ICAO. Together, the agreement advances safety, operational excellence, and workforce development across the global ground handling sector. ASA was represented by Dr. Nadine Itani (ASA Policy Director) and Mohammed Hanno (ASA Supervisory Board Member).

ICAO GISS 2026, Morocco (14–16 April)

At ICAO’s Global Implementation Support Symposium, ASA joined the discussion on aviation’s future talent and pointed to a critical gap in workforce planning: ground handling remains underrepresented in global talent forecasts, despite its essential role in safe and efficient operations. We made the case for stronger workforce data and for standardized, competency-based training to support the next generation of professionals in an evolving regulatory environment. ASA is helping close that gap through practical policy engagement and its partnership with the ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS Programme. ASA was represented by Dr. Nadine Itani (ASA Policy Director).

Eurocontrol meetings (15 and 23 April)

ASA met with Eurocontrol to continue the conversation on building the ground handling view into network and operational planning. We also participated in two meetings to enhance multistakeholder coordination ahead of Summer 2026.

Meetings in Japan (27 April)

ASA held a series of meetings in Japan with the Development Bank of Japan, Japan Civil Aeronautics Board, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airlines and industry stakeholders, strengthening engagement with partners across the Asia-Pacific region and exchanging
views on sectoral reforms to support Japan’s plans to attract 60 million inbound passengers by 2030.

International Ground Handling Day (5 May)

ASA celebrated the first International Ground Handling Day, which drew strong engagement from aviation organizations across the value chain, a welcome moment of recognition for the people who keep aircraft moving.

2026 Leadership Summit – Aviator Airport Alliance

Director General Dr. Waleed Youssef addressed the 2026 Leadership Summit of ASA member, Aviator Airport Alliance.

ACI Asia-Pacific RACE 2026, Bangkok (12–14 May)

Director-General Dr. Waleed Youssef highlighted a critical issue in Total Airport Management: aviation decisions are still too often made without the active involvement of ground handling organizations. From slot approvals and delayed turnarounds to stand and gate changes, decisions are made without coordinating with ground handlers on capacity, staffing, or equipment. Ground handling is integral to airport performance, and improving capacity, resilience, and on-time performance means bringing ground handlers into operational decision-making.

IATA Ground Handling Conference (IGHC), Cairo (19–21 May)

ASA members reinforced the role of ground handling as a core enabler of both passenger experience and operational performance. From safe turnarounds and on-time departures to baggage delivery and service reliability, ground handling is integral to efficient airport operations, and strengthening its role in industry decision-making is critical to performance across the system. As aviation grows more complex, building the ground handling perspective into operational planning and industry standards remains essential to safer, more efficient, and more resilient air transport. Director-General Dr Waleed Youssef and several ASA members also participated in IATA Ground Operations Group meetings.

GHI Americas (2–4 June)

Dr Waleed Youssef delivered a clear message at GHI Americas, held in Panama: ground handling must be treated as a strategic partner in aviation decision-making, and safety, efficiency, and resilience cannot be built on short-term cost pressures.

ICAO ADOP, Montreal (15–19 June)

ASA joined the ICAO Aerodrome Design and Operations Panel (ADOP) Working Group meeting at ICAO headquarters in Montreal. A week long discussions brought together aviation experts from across the globe to discuss standards and practices that will shape the future of airport operations worldwide, and to support safe, efficient, and sustainable aerodrome operations.

Meeting with ICAO leadership in Montreal (15–26 June)

Director General Dr Waleed Youssef met in Montreal with President of the ICAO Council Mr. Toshiyuki Onuma, ICAO Secretary General Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar and Director of the Air Transport Bureau Mr. Mohamed Rahma. These meetings continue ASA’s ongoing dialogue with ICAO on the critical role of ground handling in global aviation.

Leadership: ASA joins the Hermes board

ASA World is pleased to announce that its Director-General, Dr Waleed Youssef, has joined the Board of Directors of Hermes Air Transport Organization. Hermes brings together leading aviation professionals committed to advancing the development, progress, and promotion of air transport worldwide. The appointment reinforces ASA’s commitment to industry dialogue and collaboration across the global aviation sector. Dr Youssef joins a distinguished board that includes Angela Gittens (former Director-General, ACI World), Mehmet T. Nane (Chairman, Pegasus Airlines), Dr Kostas Iatrou, Nick Calio (President and CEO, Airlines for America), Professor Andreas Papatheodorou (University of the Aegean), and Simon Hocquard (Director-General, CANSO).

Commercial Contracting Taskforce

ASA World’s Commercial Contracting Task Force (CCTF) has been active since March 2026, bringing together members from around the world to develop industry positions on key contractual issues ahead of the IATA SGHA 2028 review cycle.

Where we are

A baseline survey confirmed what many in the sector already think: rate adjustments, payment terms, and liability are the most pressing commercial concerns for ground handlers. Those findings are now driving the Task Force’s 2026 white paper, which will set out ASA’s positions and recommendations for engagement with international regulators and industry partners. Two workstreams are at the center of current efforts. On rate adjustments, the Task Force is developing a proposal for an index-based, regionally calibrated cost-adjustment mechanism, something the current SGHA lacks entirely. Regarding liability, ASA is
establishing an independent position on Article 8.5 to ensure the ground handling perspective is fully represented, as current discussions between airlines and insurers do not explicitly include ground handler participation.

Have your say

The strength of ASA’s advocacy depends on the breadth of data behind it. We are calling on ground handling organizations of all sizes and regions to complete our anonymous survey on contract terms, cost structures, and rate-adjustment practices. It takes just a few minutes, and your input matters.

Complete the Survey

Safety & Operations Working Group

The main focus for the group has been the required input within the IATA GOS working group to ensure that the proposals submitted for potential amendments for Edition 16 of the IGOM are accepted. So far, proposals for amended wording for two of the ASA proposed amendments have been discussed and accepted. Introductory presentations have been made on all the other proposals for change submitted by ASA – none of which were rejected, detailed work on each of these is underway / will commence shortly.

ATAP – ASA Training Accreditation Program

ATAP has continued to attract interest from across the industry, and we anticipate signing agreements for ATAP accreditation for a number of ground handling organizations. Progress is also advanced with accreditation for a training organization – good news, given the potential benefits from accreditation for ground handlers, as well as for organizations providing ground handling training. Practically, ATAP expansion focus during the last weeks has been aimed at training organizations, with a complete review of all UK training establishments completed – and communications with training organizations who would benefit from accreditation, about to start.

We also plan on using the same analytical approach of training organizations in other countries too. Watch this space…

For more information, contact
Gabriel Vinccini | info@asaworld.aero
www.asaworld.aero