The UK CAA is developing new regulation for ground handling based on ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) which will be applicable by November 2026.
Ground handling is currently one of the few remaining industry sectors which remains largely unregulated and currently there is limited oversight carried out by the UK CAA.
Ground handling typically covers all elements involved with the ‘turnaround’ of an aircraft and is a significant and critical part of the aviation industry.
The objective of this new regulation is to:
- reduce the number of accidents and incidents,
- improve cooperation between Airlines, Aerodromes and Ground Handling Service Providers (GHSPs)
and - improve the quality of safety management systems within GHSPs.
Ground handling regulation workshops
The UK Civil Aviation Authority are hosting three in person workshop events to update and get the industry ready on the proposed regulation for Ground Handling at UK Certified and Licensed aerodromes.
The workshops are free of charge to organisations already providing Ground Handling services at UK Certified and Licensed aerodromes and will held in three locations:
- London - 25 September 2025
- Edinburgh - 23 October 2025
- Manchester - 27 November 2025
They are designed for:
- UK Ground Handling Service Providers
- UK Aerodrome Operators
- UK Aircraft Operators
The workshops will be an opportunity for us at the CAA to meet ground handling organisations from across the UK and be able to collaboratively work together to ensure that you have all the information to ensure the industry is ready for the new regulation.
Who should attend?
The workshops are for those in senior management roles within the organisations listed above, who are responsible and have the authority to ensure all activities of the organisation can be financed and carried out safely, in accordance with current legislation and the future ground handling regulations.
Those roles within organisations that will benefit from the workshops are:
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) / Managing Director
- Operations Director
- Director of Safety / Compliance
- Station Manager (local Ground Handling Airport Manager)
- UK Airline Accountable Person, e.g. Ground Operations Post Holder.
Spaces at each workshop are limited so it is important that organisations decide which roles or persons are most suitable to attend and limit attendance. The workshops are free of charge to organisations already providing Ground Handling services at UK Certified and Licensed aerodromes. Each person will only be able to register once for one location.
Introduction to Ground Handling regulations webinar
View a recording of a recent webinar on Ground Handing regulations hosted in September 2024 by the UK CAA with speakers from the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
This webinar sets out the current and future regulations applicable to Ground Handling at UK Certified and Licensed aerodromes.
Register for updates
You can sign up to receive email notifications from our ground handling team.