Dubai, UAE, 24 January 2024 - dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider, has welcomed the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)’s recent proposal to regulate ground handling across European Union (EU) airports.
Upon implementation, EASA’s Regulation will establish a more standardised environment, which will help enhance safety, operational delivery, cybersecurity, and consistency within the region.
"dnata fully supports EASA's proposal which marks a significant milestone in European aviation. All industry stakeholders will benefit from the implementation of minimum standards for quality and safety. This initiative also aligns with our ongoing efforts to deliver consistent world-class services at every airport across our operations," said Steve Allen, CEO of dnata Group.
"We encourage and trust that other aviation authorities will consider adopting the same approach to foster regulatory measures in their respective regions."
Until now, the ground handling industry has largely operated under self-regulation, with operational arrangements, including safety considerations, primarily addressed in bilateral service agreements between ground handling service providers and the respective aircraft operators.
EASA’s Regulation is scheduled for publication in late 2024 or early 2025. The proposal includes a suggested three-year transition period for implementation post-publication. dnata anticipates a smooth transition, proactively aligning its practices with the forthcoming regulatory framework.