Ground Handling Question
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Ground Handling Question
Grateful for some help please. Why is it that most major UK airports do not provide GH services (instead they contract through airlines) unlike say Fraport who own the service delivery directly?
Thanks MT
Thanks MT
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Hi MT,
The UK is not the exception in this case. The majority, if not most, larger airports worldwide do not provide Ground Handling services to the airlines - for reasons of cost/benefit, expertise, hassle ... however you want to view it. Airport companies tend to stick to the terminal side of things, and the runways, taxiways, navaids like ILS, etc.
So its not so much that the Airport contracts the Ground handlers - the Airlines do, directly; there are pretty clearly defined boundaries as to who owns/does what. For example, the airport owns the airbridge, but they don't operate it - the airline does - through the handling agent. The airport won't own the pushback tug, nor the towbar, though they may provide in-ground power.
Fraport is among the exceptions. Why? Not sure. 'Frankfurt is different' is an oft applied motto for the airport, though. Everything is a lilttle different there!
The UK is not the exception in this case. The majority, if not most, larger airports worldwide do not provide Ground Handling services to the airlines - for reasons of cost/benefit, expertise, hassle ... however you want to view it. Airport companies tend to stick to the terminal side of things, and the runways, taxiways, navaids like ILS, etc.
So its not so much that the Airport contracts the Ground handlers - the Airlines do, directly; there are pretty clearly defined boundaries as to who owns/does what. For example, the airport owns the airbridge, but they don't operate it - the airline does - through the handling agent. The airport won't own the pushback tug, nor the towbar, though they may provide in-ground power.
Fraport is among the exceptions. Why? Not sure. 'Frankfurt is different' is an oft applied motto for the airport, though. Everything is a lilttle different there!
Infact some used to .. eg. Manchester.
However, in the UK it was decided that allowing this restricted competition and fair trading.
Airlines complained to UK govt. that being forced to use the airport only agent restricted the market/kept prices high and was an unfair restriction of trade.
Airports were forced to allow licencing of ground handling agents, they could compete with their own ground handling if they wanted, but this had to be at "arms length" from the main company.
I think some of the smaller airports might have been given an exemption from this.
However, in the UK it was decided that allowing this restricted competition and fair trading.
Airlines complained to UK govt. that being forced to use the airport only agent restricted the market/kept prices high and was an unfair restriction of trade.
Airports were forced to allow licencing of ground handling agents, they could compete with their own ground handling if they wanted, but this had to be at "arms length" from the main company.
I think some of the smaller airports might have been given an exemption from this.
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42psi - for UK insert those 
in Brussels who issued
Transport: Ground handling market - European commission
and their report on its effectiveness
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/air/st...d_handling.pdf
in Brussels who issuedTransport: Ground handling market - European commission
and their report on its effectiveness
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/air/st...d_handling.pdf
42psi - for UK insert those 
in Brussels who issued
in Brussels who issued
but prior to the strike at Manchester there was little airline pressure on the UK govt. to move quickly.
The handling strike was the trigger that prompted the airlines to (coordinating together) step up big time and really put the pressure on to enact the rules in the UK.
I'd not seen the report before though .. makes interesting reading .. thanks
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Why have airports dropped thir own handling services? - profit.
20+ years ago nearly all the airports in the UK provided ramp handing services either as a monopoly or with a single licensed competitor. Front of house was done by the airline or a contracted handling company.
Many airports grouped their handling charges in with landing fees and other airport charges so there was little clarity as to what was being charged for what; and importantly, little knowledge within the airports as to the costs of providing these differing services.
After the EU missives airports had to look more closely at their own costs and how their revenues were being generated. Around the same time airlines were becoming more 'procurement' orientated and started challenging specific aspects of ground handling charges, introducing bonus/penalty schemes and their own, targetted standards. Many airports subsequently found that their ground handling services were 'marginal' and decided to divest themselves of the headaches.
Airports now are, generally, (accepting that there are exceptions) facility managers with nearly all services either licensed or subcontracted to third parties.
GH
20+ years ago nearly all the airports in the UK provided ramp handing services either as a monopoly or with a single licensed competitor. Front of house was done by the airline or a contracted handling company.
Many airports grouped their handling charges in with landing fees and other airport charges so there was little clarity as to what was being charged for what; and importantly, little knowledge within the airports as to the costs of providing these differing services.
After the EU missives airports had to look more closely at their own costs and how their revenues were being generated. Around the same time airlines were becoming more 'procurement' orientated and started challenging specific aspects of ground handling charges, introducing bonus/penalty schemes and their own, targetted standards. Many airports subsequently found that their ground handling services were 'marginal' and decided to divest themselves of the headaches.
Airports now are, generally, (accepting that there are exceptions) facility managers with nearly all services either licensed or subcontracted to third parties.
GH
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Only took me 20 mins to get through Sec in the shiny building near the M25 last shift, only one scanner open and BAA managers doing the screening and searches.
Hey , you were lucky , try the crew screening channel at Terrible 3 LHR ....
Hey , you were lucky , try the crew screening channel at Terrible 3 LHR ....
