dnata has reached a cooperation agreement with the Silk Way Group of Azerbaijan to establish a joint venture responsible for the operation services of the Arat International Airport. The joint venture will be officially launched in 2027 when the airport commences operations. The Arat International Airport is located in the Arat Free Economic Zone, with an annual cargo handling capacity of over 500,000 tons planned. It is expected that the average annual growth rate of cargo volume will reach 5% in the next ten years. The airport is equipped with 18 parking stands and a 4,000-meter runway, among other complete facilities. The joint venture will gradually expand its business, initially focusing on cargo and ground support services, and subsequently extending to diverse services such as aviation catering and freight forwarding, aiming to build a "one-stop aviation service platform". The project is expected to create over 1,000 jobs and cultivate professional talents for the aviation indus

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On October 26, Swissport launched passenger and ramp services at New Chitose Airport, supporting Eastar Jet's daily flights between Sapporo and Busan. As a key step in its northern Japan expansion, Swissport has invested in winter-specific GSE and created 50 seasonal jobs for local workers, ensuring safe and efficient operations during Hokkaido's winter tourism peak.

Gatwick Ground Services (GGS) has achieved notable operational upgrades since deploying eight Power Stow Rollertrack Conveyors last year. The system has cut manual baggage handling, enhanced workplace safety, optimized aircraft turnarounds and resource efficiency, and supported BA Euroflyer’s transition from containerised to bulk baggage loading – a move to boost fuel efficiency and address capacity gaps at destination airports. Initially met with scepticism by Gatwick ramp staff due to perceived complexity, the conveyors gained widespread acceptance after phased training, with handlers later relying on the equipment for daily tasks. The system has reduced staff injuries, streamlined resource allocation, lowered baggage damage rates, and proved robust in operations, with TCR providing reliable maintenance. GGS and Power Stow plan to extend their partnership by trialling the Tail Loader.

Assaia's 2025 AI Turnaround Report highlights the remarkable operational enhancements brought by its AI technology to adopting airports. Key achievements include a 25% reduction in departure delays, a 5% improvement in gate efficiency, and the capacity to handle one extra flight per day for every 20 gates, with average departure delays cut to just three minutes. In Europe, airports using Assaia's solution reported 12-minute departure delays—6 minutes below the regional average of 18 minutes—resulting in nearly $600 in savings per turnaround and over $70 million in annual savings for large airports.

KLM has finalized a two-year collective labour agreement (CLA) (effective retroactively from March 1, 2025, to February 28, 2027) with five trade unions (CNV, De Unie, FNV, NVLT, VKP) representing its ground staff. The agreement includes a 3.25% cumulative salary increase (implemented in three phases), one-time net payments for full-time employees, and permanent benefits such as the extended "80-90-100 scheme" for older workers and the Early Retirement Scheme for those in physically demanding roles. It also adjusts the profit-sharing scheme, adds a technician-specific addendum, and modernizes the social plan. Negotiations took multiple stages, with final consensus reached after involving an external intermediary. The unions will now submit the CLA to their members for approval.

Aviator renews its ground handling contract with Turkish Airlines at Helsinki Airport, extending a partnership initiated in 2023. The renewed deal retains Aviator’s provision of passenger handling, ramp operations and de-icing services for 60 monthly Turkish Airlines flights. Kimmo Holopainen of Aviator Finland cites service quality as a key competitive advantage, while noting the alliance’s long-standing collaboration with the carrier since 2012 at Copenhagen Airport.

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has introduced the "Deep Turnaround" system, which is deeply integrated with the airport's digital twin platform. This system can directly connect operational data to the digital twin system, providing support for the analysis and optimization of the entire flight support process, real-time operation tracking, and intelligent decision-making. Initially, this system will be deployed at some boarding gates, and its application scope will be gradually expanded in the future. Representatives from the Aviation Solutions Department and Canadian Airlines have stated that this system helps improve airport operational efficiency, reliability, and sustainability, while also enhancing the accuracy of insights into flight turnaround processes and predicted departure times.

The world's leading ground handling service provider WFS and Brismes Airlines have reached a cooperation agreement through a competitive bidding process involving deep participation of airlines at the terminal building. They will provide comprehensive ground handling services for the new Terminal 1 of JFK Airport. The services cover both onboard (passenger check-in, baggage handling, etc.) and off-board (professional teams, application of electric ground handling equipment, etc.) scenarios, adhering to the principles of "efficiency, safety, and excellence", to assist the airport in its green transformation. Both parties will obtain operation permits and sign direct agreements with the airlines, and simultaneously create multiple job opportunities. Terminal 1 is the core of the $1.9 billion JFK renovation project by the New York-New Jersey Port Authority, and it will be equipped with North America's first shared electric ground handling equipment fleet, helping the Port Authority achiev

Aviramp, a leading aircraft boarding ramp manufacturer headquartered in Telford, has unveiled the solar-powered ChairLifter, specifically designed for Electric Mobility Aids (EMAs) such as wheelchairs. Equipped with a custom hydraulic platform, the device enables automated operations that eliminate manual lifting, reducing equipment damage risks, enhancing ground staff safety, and improving loading efficiency.

Avinor and Norconsult will conduct a feasibility study looking at hydrogen infrastructure for airports and is inviting industry participants to submit ideas and solutions.

dnata has deployed more than 100 ground support vehicles at the Dubai Airshow 2025 to move aircraft safely and efficiently across the static and flying displays.

Aviator Airport Alliance has been selected by Tunisian carrier Nouvelair to provide ground handling services at Helsinki Airport, encompassing passenger handling, ramp operations, and de-icing.

David Keene, the CEO of Aurrigo International, a global provider of intelligent airport solutions, has called on the aviation industry stakeholders to advocate for a transformation of the ground support industry by adopting "Intelligent Ground Support Equipment (iGSE)". As Keene's new operational model, iGSE integrates advanced connectivity technologies, which can enhance operational efficiency, shorten aircraft turnaround times, improve reliability, and reduce environmental impact. Keene pointed out that the core value of iGSE will be realized through three dimensions: automation (reducing human errors and improving speed), data analysis (optimizing resource allocation and assisting decision-making), and sustainability (integrating environmental protection technologies and reducing emissions). He emphasized that this transformation is not only about technological upgrades but also an inevitable requirement for the industry to better serve airlines, passengers, and the planet.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has received numerous requests for the establishment of a regulatory framework for autonomous ground support equipment, but the agency advocates for the creation of global uniform standards at the international level (through the International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO).

The Auckland Airport (OAK) has recently launched its first batch of 5 all-electric shuttle buses, provided by RIDE Company. These vehicles will serve the parking areas for airport passengers and staff. This is a key measure for the airport to reduce its transportation emissions, helping it comply with California's electric vehicle regulations. Over the next ten years, it will gradually achieve 100% zero emissions for the shuttle buses. The buses feature an exclusive eco-friendly paint design created by a local design firm. The related procurement and charging infrastructure construction has received support from multiple special grants from the US federal government and California, with a total funding of approximately $2.7 million, laying the foundation for the airport's green transformation.

dnata has launched the "Station of Tomorrow" at Orlando International Airport, a $3 million initiative that sets a new benchmark for its U.S. operations. The project features a fully electric ground support fleet and advanced technology systems, significantly boosting efficiency, safety, and environmental performance. In addition to enhancing the passenger experience, the station will create 50 new local jobs. The milestone project is supported by key partners including Lufthansa Group, with Discover Airlines serving as the launch customer.

Aviator Airport Alliance (a top Nordic independent airport ground handler, part of Avia Solutions Group) signed its first contract with Tunisian airline Nouvelair last month to provide full ground handling services (passenger/ramp handling, de-icing) at Helsinki Airport. Nouvelair, Tunisia’s second-largest carrier, operates weekly charters between Helsinki and Monastir with Airbus A320/A320 Neo fleets and aims to expand its Finnish market presence. The partnership leverages Aviator’s reliability and quality to support Nouvelair’s growth, building on the airline’s prior collaborations with other Avia Solutions Group members.

The East Midlands Airport in the UK has converted the fuel for all of its approximately 60 ground operation vehicles (including fire engines, snow removal vehicles, etc.) to bio-diesel (HVO) made from waste vegetable oil.

This article focuses on aircraft corrosion, which is a hidden risk in the aviation industry. It analyzes the causes (metal oxidation, environmental factors such as deicing fluid/salt fog), main types (electrochemical corrosion, pitting corrosion, crevice corrosion, fretting corrosion), and hazards (damaging the fuselage / avionics systems, increasing maintenance costs, and causing safety incidents). It emphasizes that the core of prevention lies in proactive measures. Key measures include closely monitoring high-prone corrosion areas, regularly cleaning the aircraft (avoiding the risk of infrequent cleaning), and mentioning that professional service solutions such as robotic cleaning equipment can enhance the efficiency of prevention and ultimately ensure flight safety and reduce operating costs.