Name: Ola M. Bakk
Job Title: Safety and Compliance Manager
Company: Aviator Airport Alliance
Location: Stockholm/Trondheim
Years of experience in ground support: 42
Years with current company: 14
Previous employers in the industry: Braathens, RFly
Industry Committees Served On: SAE G-12 Aircraft Ground Deicing Committee, 1998-2002
Ground Support Worldwide: What attracted you to a career in the ground support industry?
OMB: I've aways been fascinated in aviation.
GSW: What has kept you engaged in the industry?
OMB: Curiosity. And never two days the same, and awesome colleagues.
GSW: What’s the best advice you’ve been given while working in this field?
OMB: Be prepared for everything, never assume.
GSW: How have you seen the ground support industry change the most during your career?
OMB: There has been a greater will and more focus on facilitating an approach to the same level of occurrence processing and mitigations, as in other parts of aviation. More resources are spent on safety and compliance. But due to more focus on costs, recruitment for new staff has been much more challenging.
GSW: Have these changes been to the benefit or detriment of the industry?
OMB: For safety and compliance assurance, there has been a clear benefit. But some of this, benefit is lost to the challenges in recruitment. Employees seem to be more eager to find other jobs. This puts more strain on the organizations, and in particular, training.
GSW: What’s the next big thing coming to the ground support industry?
OMB: EASA regulations in ground handling.
GSW: What type of an impact will it make?
OMB: Procedures and routines could be more common depending on which carrier we are handling. But these must still be based on the existing IATA recommendations. If not, the only outcome will be more unnecessary findings and confusion.
GSW: What would you say to encourage someone to join the ground support industry?
OMB: Ground handling is the backbone of aviation. Joining ground handling gives the opportunity to be at the heart of the action, ensuring safety and satisfaction while enjoying day-to-day challenges.
