Addressing Ground Handling Staff Shortage by Optimizing Aircraft Cleaning

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the aviation industry has faced a severe shortage of skilled ground handling staff due to the pandemic, with thousands of workers leaving the sector. As airlines resume operations, they are grappling with the impact of this shortage, which is leading to flight delays, cancellations, lost baggage, and dissatisfaction among passengers. To tackle this challenge, companies turn to a wide variety of solutions, including process optimization and digitalisation.

Jo Alex Tanem, CEO of Nordic Dino Robotics AB, the company behind the innovative Nordic Dino system for cleaning aircraft exteriors, emphasises the growing importance of reducing the required number of staff and man-hours spent on tasks in the aviation industry. “Companies are increasingly adopting innovative solutions to reduce time and staff needed to perform quality ground handling operations. One such tool that can aid in optimising ground handling staff operations is the aircraft exterior cleaning robot, Nordic Dino," Tanem said.

Tanem explains that there are many advantages to using Nordic Dino for aircraft exterior cleaning: “Based on our experience, the Nordic Dino has been successful in reducing aircraft exterior cleaning times by up to 80%. Aircraft exterior cleaning is a laborious and resource-intensive task that typically requires a team of physically strong workers. However, with the use of a semi-automated robot like the Nordic Dino, only one operator is needed to perform the same task, further reducing labour costs, and improving efficiency.”

Furthermore, the use of robotic washing systems significantly reduces the risk of injuries to workers caused by manual washing. Manual washing is a highly intensive activity that can lead to repetitive strain injuries in workers' arms, legs and body joints. These injuries can result in lost man-hours and decreased productivity.

“As technology evolves, semi-automatic aircraft exterior cleaning solutions offer companies the opportunity to enhance their operational efficiency. By leveraging the latest advancements in robotics, Nordic Dino can provide consistent, high-quality results across the entire aircraft fuselage. With the ability to perform multiple washes per day, robotic cleaning solutions are an ideal choice for companies seeking to optimize their aircraft exterior cleaning operations while reducing the required manpower,” Tanem adds.

Nordic Dino Robotics is a family member of Avia Solutions Group – the largest global ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) provider with more than 165 aircraft fleet, operating in all continents in the world. The group also provides various aviation services such as MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul), pilots and crew training, ground handling and other interconnected solutions.