Airport ground handling operations are at the heart of airline efficiency and passenger satisfaction. From marshaling aircraft to loading baggage and refueling, these tasks must be performed swiftly and safely to minimize turnaround time.
In recent years, new technologies and innovative processes have begun transforming ground handling, promising faster operations and fewer errors. This article examines the key trends and technologies driving the future of ground handling, and how they address the industry’s challenges.
Automation and Autonomous Equipment
Automation is revolutionizing ground handling by introducing driverless vehicles and robotics into ramp operations.
Airports are beginning to deploy autonomous baggage tractors and cargo loaders that can navigate the tarmac without human drivers.
Airport ramp operations are being revolutionized by automation, with driverless vehicles and robotics taking on tasks traditionally done by humans.
Airports are deploying autonomous baggage tractors, cargo loaders, and even aircraft tugs that can navigate the tarmac without direct human control.
For example, Singapore’s Changi Airport is bringing in a fleet of four autonomous baggage handling vehicles to pilot under-wing baggage operations, aiming to boost efficiency for wide-body aircraft turnarounds and help alleviate labor shortages.
In the United States, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) commenced trials in 2024 of Auto-DollyTug autonomous baggage tractors in partnership with IAG (British Airways’ parent company), with plans to expand deployment in 2025 based on successful results. These self-driving tugs can transport luggage between terminal and aircraft with minimal human intervention, allowing staff to focus on higher-value tasks.
Autonomous pushback solutions are also advancing. Towbarless electric pushback tugs can latch onto aircraft landing gear and perform pushback or towing without a human driver in the cab. Major hubs in Europe and North America are investing in this technology – London Heathrow airport has deployed fully electric, towbarless tugs across several terminals, and EasyJet is piloting autonomous towing systems to reduce gate delays.
These advanced tugs improve efficiency and safety by streamlining the pushback process; some designs even feature robotic arms to automatically latch onto and lift the nose gear. Notably, next-generation baggage tractors like Aurrigo’s Auto-DollyTug can carry 30% more cargo (four unit load containers in a train) than a traditional tug of the same length, using a combination of autonomous driving and novel trailer systems.
Beyond vehicles, ground handling robotics are emerging in tasks like aircraft inspection and cleaning – drones can scan aircraft surfaces for damage, and robotic crawlers or arms can perform tire checks or exterior washes. By automating routine, strenuous, or precise tasks, airports can operate with greater consistency and speed while minimizing the risk of human error and accidents.
Data-Driven Decision Making and IoT Integration
Modern ground handling is increasingly data-driven. Equipment and vehicles are now often fitted with sensors and telematics – an Internet of Things (IoT) approach – to monitor their status, location, and performance in real time. This connectivity gives ground managers a live overview of every piece of ground support equipment (GSE) on the apron.
For instance, fuel trucks, baggage carts, and belt loaders can continuously report their positions, fuel or battery levels, and even mechanical health. Smart GSE armed with IoT sensors enable real-time tracking of metrics like engine temperature, tire pressure, and usage patterns, helping predict maintenance needs.
By analyzing this data, airports can perform predictive maintenance – addressing equipment issues before they lead to breakdowns – which avoids delays and costly disruptions. One GSE manufacturer noted that IoT-based monitoring of tugs and loaders allows operators to avoid breakdowns, reduce maintenance costs, and improve overall efficiency through timely servicing.
This real-time visibility also enables better resource allocation on the ramp. Dispatchers can instantly locate the nearest available GPU (ground power unit) or air start unit, for example, rather than searching manually. Bottlenecks in the turnaround process become easier to identify by analyzing time-stamped data from each service – fueling, catering, cleaning, boarding, etc.
Some airports are adopting unified data standards for tracking turnaround events; industry analyses suggest that using standardized time stamps and data exchange can reduce ground handling delays by a few percentage points globally by pinpointing inefficiencies. In practice, data analytics dashboards now highlight if a baggage unload took longer than usual or if a catering truck arrived late, allowing managers to adjust schedules on the fly.
The integration of IoT devices with airport operations has also given rise to centralized control centers that monitor ramp activity. Airports in Japan, for instance, are integrating smart fleet management systems for their electric GSE. All Nippon Airways (ANA) has equipped its new electric baggage tugs with telematics that feed into a central system, enabling predictive servicing to minimize downtime.
Such data-driven fleet management not only keeps equipment in top shape but also improves safety – if a loaded baggage cart strays from its route, geofence alerts can notify the control center. Overall, embracing IoT connectivity and data analytics in ground ops helps optimize every minute of the aircraft turnaround, turning data into actionable insights for smoother operations.
Artificial Intelligence and Smart Coordination
AI is beginning to play a pivotal role in coordinating the complex choreography of ground handling. In a typical aircraft turnaround, numerous activities (catering, cleaning, fueling, boarding, baggage loading) occur in parallel under tight time constraints.
AI systems can monitor these tasks via cameras, sensors, and real-time data feeds, recognizing the status of each process and predicting outcomes. By having a “smart” overview of the turnaround, AI can assist dispatchers in making quicker decisions or even directly communicate instructions to ground teams.
One area where AI has demonstrated clear benefits is in apron monitoring and turnaround management. For example, Edinburgh Airport in Scotland implemented an AI-powered system called “Deep Turnaround” in late 2024 to optimize aircraft turnarounds.
The system uses machine learning algorithms and apron cameras to automatically detect the start and end of over 30 different ground handling processes – from the parking of the catering truck to the closing of cargo hold doors. By analyzing this live feed, the AI can predict potential delays up to 40 minutes before the scheduled pushback time and alert staff in advance.
Early results show that having this predictive insight allows teams to proactively resolve issues (like a delayed fueling) before they cascade, improving on-time performance. AI-driven turnaround management platforms are yielding measurable efficiency gains. According to a 2024 industry benchmark report, airports using AI video analytics to coordinate turnarounds have seen a 25% increase in average daily aircraft turns per gate (from 4 to 5) and about a 6% decrease in ground delays.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (Germany’s newest hub) was one of the first in the country to adopt AI for turnarounds, resulting in improved team coordination and faster handling processes. Toronto Pearson International has similarly used AI insights to cut average taxi-in times by 44%, demonstrating how data-driven decision-making can reduce bottlenecks on the ground.
In the US, United Airlines deployed an AI apron management tool (Assaia ApronAI) at Houston Intercontinental Airport, which reduced average ground delays by nearly 2 minutes during peak periods by optimizing the sequencing of ground crew tasks.
Beyond efficiency, AI enhances safety and communication on the ramp. Advanced computer vision can continuously monitor for Foreign Object Debris (FOD) or detect if a person or vehicle strays into an active taxiway. AI-powered apron cameras can also flag unsafe behaviors – for instance, if a belt loader is not chocked or if a ramp agent isn’t wearing proper PPE – and immediately alert supervisors.
This kind of live feedback loop helps enforce safety protocols and prevent incidents. AI systems also act as real-time communication hubs: instead of relying solely on radio calls, an AI platform can update all teams simultaneously through a shared dashboard or mobile app. At Seattle-Tacoma Airport and Berlin, for example, Apron AI systems now send real-time alerts to all ground handling teams when a critical milestone is reached (like all passengers off, or fueling complete), improving cross-team alignment and preventing delays between sequential tasks.
When every team – ramp agents, gate staff, fuelers, cleaners – has the same up-to-the-second information, miscommunications are reduced and problems can be solved faster. In short, AI is acting as the new conductor of the ramp, orchestrating people and equipment with data-driven precision.
Integration of Digital Twins and AI in Ground Operations
Another cutting-edge development in ground handling is the use of digital twins – virtual replicas of physical operations – combined with AI analytics. By creating high-fidelity digital models of airport processes, operators can simulate different scenarios and optimize procedures in a risk-free virtual environment before applying changes on the real apron.
Digital twins are essentially living simulations that ingest real data and mirror live operations. Airports and tech firms have begun collaborating on digital twin projects to improve ramp efficiency. For instance, the UK’s Connected Places Catapult and Glasgow Airport launched a “Living Lab” Digital Twin competition in 2024 to develop digital twin solutions for aviation, aimed specifically at enhancing airside operations.
The initiative supports companies in creating realistic virtual models of airport processes, which can then be used to test improvements for baggage handling, aircraft servicing, and more. By investing in such projects, Glasgow hopes to spark innovative approaches to common ground handling challenges through detailed simulation and modeling.
At a more technical level, ground handling digital twins can incorporate agent-based modeling and AI to simulate the behavior of each stakeholder in a turnaround. A 2024 study by researchers in Germany built a high-fidelity digital twin of a section of Amsterdam Schiphol’s apron (Pier H) to simulate a full day of aircraft ground handling activities.
In the simulation, every agent – from baggage trucks and catering lifts to crews – was modeled, and AI algorithms were used to test different coordination strategies. The digital twin allowed the researchers to evaluate new rules, such as priority-based servicing of certain flights, and measure the impact on departure punctuality.
The results were promising: optimized scheduling and resource allocation strategies in the twin environment effectively reduced average departure delays compared to a traditional “first-come, first-served” approach. This shows how digital twins, powered by AI, can reveal bottlenecks and suggest optimal interventions (like sending an extra loader to a late-running flight) without disrupting real operations.
Equipment manufacturers are also using digital twins to smooth the introduction of new technology. Aurrigo, the company behind autonomous baggage vehicles, has developed a software suite called Auto-Sim that creates a 3D digital twin of today’s ramp operations.
This twin can model the impact of introducing new electric or autonomous GSE into an airport’s workflow, helping planners visualize changes before they happen. By tweaking variables in the digital model – for example, the number of autonomous tugs or the timing of their dispatch – airports can identify the ideal processes to maximize efficiency. Once the best scenario is found, AI algorithms can assist in implementing that plan in the real world and continuously adjusting as conditions change.
In the coming years, integrating digital twins with AI decision-support tools could enable a form of virtual A-CDM (Airport Collaborative Decision Making), where all parties (airlines, ground handlers, ATC) share a common live simulation of the turnaround. They could test “what if” scenarios (What if a thunderstorm hits? What if a belt loader breaks down?) in the twin, and AI could recommend contingency actions.
By using digital replicas to foresee and mitigate disruptions, ground operations become more resilient. This technology is still emerging, but early adopters are demonstrating that a well-calibrated digital twin can be a powerful engine for continuous improvement in ground handling performance.
Advanced Training with Virtual Reality
Human expertise remains vitally important in ground handling, but training methods are evolving to produce a more skilled and tech-savvy workforce. Many airports and ground service companies are turning to Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) simulations to enhance training for ramp personnel. VR training programs can immerse new hires in realistic airside scenarios in a safe, controlled environment.
For example, a ramp agent trainee can practice marshaling an aircraft with wands, loading baggage into a plane’s cargo hold, or operating a passenger boarding bridge – all through a VR simulator that replicates the airport apron and equipment. These simulations allow staff to experience a variety of situations (including rare emergencies like engine fires or fuel spills) without any risk, building muscle memory and confidence before they ever step onto a live ramp.
Airlines in tech-forward regions are already deploying comprehensive VR training systems. In late 2024, All Nippon Airways (ANA) introduced a custom VR training simulator for its ground handling staff, known as ∀TRAS, at Tokyo Haneda Airport. This system includes practice modules for pushback and towing, connecting passenger jet bridges, aircraft deicing/anti-icing, operating ground power units, and other baggage and ramp duties. Trainees wear VR headsets and use realistic input devices (pedals, steering wheels, joystick controls) to operate virtual GSE in a variety of aircraft scenarios. One major benefit is the ability to practice on many aircraft types – from small 737s to large A380s – without needing a physical plane present. ANA’s trainers noted that smaller airports in their network often don’t have wide-body aircraft on the ground for practice, so VR allows staff to train for big jets virtually, solving a logistical challenge.
The immersive nature of VR/AR training leads to improved safety awareness and proficiency. Mistakes made in the virtual world become valuable learning experiences, leading to fewer errors on the real ramp. In addition, VR can simulate various weather and operational conditions. ANA’s system, for instance, can adjust scenarios for time of day, rain, snow, or other challenges, and even introduce random “unsafe” situations (like a vehicle intrusion or equipment fault) that trainees must respond to.
By encountering these scenarios in training, ground crews are better prepared to handle them in reality. Importantly, VR is not replacing hands-on training but augmenting it – ANA estimates that by substituting about half of the initial on-the-job training with VR sessions, they can reduce overall training time by up to 40% while maintaining effectiveness.
Faster training cycles help ground handling teams stay staffed with qualified personnel, especially crucial as travel demand grows. Other ground handling companies and airports in Europe and North America are conducting similar VR training pilots, reporting higher knowledge retention and engagement from younger staff who grew up as gamers.
Augmented Reality is also beginning to assist active staff on the ramp. AR glasses or mobile apps can overlay useful data onto a worker’s field of view. For example, a technician wearing AR glasses might see navigation prompts guiding them to the correct aircraft stand, or step-by-step maintenance instructions when looking at a piece of GSE.
In the future, a supervisor could point their AR-equipped tablet at an aircraft and immediately see which tasks are completed (fueling, cleaning, etc.) and which are pending, all pulled from live databases. By leveraging VR for immersive training and AR for on-site guidance, ground handlers are boosting both the skill and safety of their teams.
Workforce Transformation in Ground Handling
As automation and digital tools take hold, the ground handling workforce is undergoing a significant transformation. Rather than eliminating the human element, these technologies are changing the roles and skills required of ground staff. One major trend is upskilling and reskilling workers to collaborate with automation.
Traditional ramp agents are being trained in new competencies like monitoring autonomous systems, managing data dashboards, and performing tech maintenance on advanced equipment. For example, when an airline introduces remote-controlled pushback tugs, its tug drivers must be retrained to operate the tugs via a console (often from a control room) instead of driving on the apron.
Industry observers note that operators often need to spend more on training veteran staff to handle next-generation, software-driven GSE with remote control and high-level telemetry systems. The role of a “ramp agent” is evolving to be more of a systems operator – someone who can oversee multiple autonomous vehicles and intervene when necessary, rather than physically manning a single piece of equipment.
This shift is also driven by persistent staffing challenges in aviation. Labor shortages, especially in the post-pandemic recovery, have plagued ground handling providers worldwide. Automation offers a way to tackle some of the shortfall by handling the most labor-intensive or repetitive tasks, but it also means the remaining human roles become more technical.
Airports like CVG in Cincinnati explicitly cite staffing shortages as one motivation for investing in autonomous baggage tractors – the goal is to let automated tugs cover basic hauling duties, while human staff can focus on supervising operations and handling exceptions. In practice, ground handling companies are starting to create new positions such as “robotics fleet manager” or “GSE Control Center operator,” which didn’t exist a decade ago. These staff work in high-tech airport operations centers, watching over swarms of IoT-connected GSE on big screens.
For example, some advanced airports envision remote fleet command centers where a handful of skilled operators could monitor and direct dozens of autonomous vehicles across the apron. This centralization can improve safety (fewer people in hazardous ramp areas) and efficiency (one operator can redirect resources quickly as needs change).
Another aspect of workforce transformation is closer collaboration between humans and machines. Rather than completely autonomous operations, many airports are aiming for a “human-in-the-loop” model: automated systems handle routine tasks, while human workers provide oversight, decision-making for unusual cases, and maintenance.
This requires cross-training personnel. A mechanic, for instance, might need IT skills to troubleshoot an autonomous tug’s software, or a baggage team lead might learn to interpret data analytics that predict when bag volume will surge. The workforce is also being augmented by technology like wearable devices – smartwatches that give vibration alerts for upcoming tasks or AR glasses that highlight safety zones.
All of this demands digital literacy and continuous learning. To support the transition, companies are investing in more robust training (as discussed with VR) and career development pathways, so that a ramp worker today can become a “technician controller” tomorrow.
Importantly, workforce transformation is also about safety and ergonomics improvements. Automation is reducing the need for staff to perform backbreaking manual labor (like lifting heavy bags or repeatedly kneeling to attach tow bars). It’s also aiming to remove humans from harm’s way in dangerous scenarios (such as being close to running jet engines during pushback).
Remote-operated equipment allows tasks like pushback or de-icing to be done without workers right next to the aircraft, improving safety. Airlines that have adopted remote-control pushback tugs – Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, for example – report that it not only speeds up gate operations but also creates a safer, more comfortable working environment for their ramp crews. Those operators can work from a climate-controlled cab or office instead of out on the tarmac in bad weather.
In the long run, the ground handling profession is trending toward fewer injuries, more technical expertise, and possibly higher wages for those who acquire specialized skills. The collective goal for the industry is to harmonize human talent with automation – letting machines do the heavy lifting and data crunching, while humans provide the judgment, adaptability, and customer service that technology can’t easily replicate.
Cybersecurity in Ramp and Baggage Operations
As ground handling becomes more digitized and connected, cybersecurity has emerged as a critical concern on the tarmac. Airports and ground service providers are now responsible for protecting not just corporate IT systems, but also operational technology (OT) like baggage handling systems, fuel pump controls, and the networks linking IoT devices.
A cyberattack on these could be as disruptive as a physical incident on the ramp. Recognizing this threat, airlines and airports are significantly increasing their cybersecurity investments. In fact, as of 2024, 73% of airports and 66% of airlines globally cited cybersecurity as one of their top three focus areas in IT, reflecting how important it’s become to safeguard critical systems and data.
The aviation industry’s overall IT spend on cybersecurity, biometrics, and related tech climbed to record highs in 2024 as companies work to fortify their defenses.
Airport baggage handling systems (BHS) are a prime example of the new cybersecurity frontier. These systems are a symphony of interconnected devices – conveyor belts, scanners, RFID tag readers, automated sorting machines – all coordinated by networked computers. While such integration has greatly improved baggage throughput, it also opens potential pathways for cyber threats.
Many OT systems in airports run on legacy hardware and software that were not originally designed with cybersecurity in mind. They often have decades-long lifecycles and can be hard to patch or upgrade without interrupting operations. This creates a unique challenge: implementing cyber protections without disrupting the high-availability environment of airport ops.
Airports and their IT partners are now prioritizing dedicated cybersecurity implementation plans and assessment programs specifically for operational tech like baggage systems. These plans typically include rigorous network segmentation (to isolate critical systems), intrusion detection sensors on OT networks, and strict access controls for staff and vendors.
The threat is not theoretical – cyber incidents have already caused airport disruptions in the past, and the risk is growing. Ransomware attacks pose a particularly severe risk: a well-placed ransomware strike could lock up a baggage system or refueling system and bring an airport’s ground operations to a standstill. Likewise, insider threats (whether malicious or unintentional) are a concern since ground handling involves multiple parties with access to systems – an employee plugging in an infected USB on the ramp network could inadvertently open the door to malware.
State-sponsored hackers have also been flagged by security experts as potential adversaries with the capability to target aviation infrastructure. To counter these evolving threats, airports are deploying more advanced threat detection and incident response strategies.
Many are investing in real-time monitoring tools for their OT networks, similar to those long used in corporate IT, to spot anomalies in baggage system traffic or GSE telemetry. Regular cybersecurity risk assessments are becoming routine in airport operations, helping identify vulnerabilities such as outdated software on a fuel truck’s control unit or unsecured Wi-Fi used by ramp devices.
One best practice gaining traction is network segmentation of ground handling systems. By isolating the networks that control, say, baggage conveyors and boarding bridges from the public internet and even from the general airport office network, any cyber intrusion can be contained and prevented from spreading laterally.
Airports are also working closely with equipment manufacturers to ensure new GSE comes with robust cyber protections (encrypted communications, secure firmware, etc.). Employee training is part of the solution too – just as ramp staff do fire drills, they are now being educated on cyber hygiene, such as recognizing phishing attempts that could compromise operational systems.
The goal is to build a culture of cybersecurity awareness alongside safety. In summary, as ground handling embraces automation and connectivity, it must also “harden” itself against digital threats. The same technologies that yield efficiency – IoT, AI, data platforms – must be shielded with firewalls, encryption, and vigilance. The industry’s doubling-down on cybersecurity is about ensuring that the gains of digital transformation are not undone by new vulnerabilities.
With regulators and organizations like IATA issuing guidelines for aviation cybersecurity, ramp and baggage operations are increasingly part of the conversation. A secure ground handling system is now recognized as integral to overall airport resilience and safety.
Eco-Friendly Practices and Electrification
Sustainability is a key trend influencing ground handling technology (covered in detail in another article), as the aviation industry faces pressure to reduce emissions. Airports and ground service companies are pushing for greener operations, which includes adopting electric-powered GSE, alternative fuels, and eco-friendlier procedures.
In recent years there has been a noticeable shift from diesel-burning equipment to electric models for common vehicles like baggage tugs, belt loaders, and portable power units. Many airports have set targets to convert 100% of their ground support fleet to electric by the end of this decade.
In Europe, the EU’s “Fit for 55” climate initiative is driving airports toward fully electric GSE fleets by 2030, with major hubs in France, Germany, and the Netherlands investing in battery-powered and even AI-enabled pushback tugs that reduce fuel usage during taxi. London Heathrow, for instance, has already deployed electric pushback tractors (some automated) and eliminated a large portion of older diesel tugs in favor of low-emission models.
Electrification of GSE brings multiple benefits: zero tailpipe emissions on the apron (improving local air quality), lower noise, and reduced maintenance costs over time. Airlines and ground handlers worldwide accelerated fleet upgrades as traffic rebounded after 2020 – many took the opportunity to retire aging diesel equipment and replace it with electric or hybrid versions.
In the United States, this trend is supported by government incentives; the FAA has provided grants and funding for airports to procure electric GSE and install charging infrastructure as part of broader green initiatives.
Airlines like Delta and United have begun using electric baggage carts and belt loaders at their hubs, and they’ve incorporated remote-controlled electric pushback tugs into operations to streamline gate turnarounds and cut fuel burn from idle jet engines.
It’s now common to see an aircraft being pushed back not by a smoking diesel tug, but by a silent electric one with a long-lasting battery.
Beyond vehicles, eco-friendly practices include using alternative fuels and smarter procedures. Some ground support fleets are exploring biofuels or hydrogen fuel cells for equipment that is harder to electrify. Airports are installing charging stations and even experimenting with on-site solar panels to power GSE charging, aiming for a full renewable energy cycle.
Another innovation is the concept of taxiing aircraft without running their main engines. Systems like TaxiBot – a semi-autonomous towing tractor developed with Airbus/IAI – can hitch to an aircraft’s nose gear and tow it to or from the runway, allowing the aircraft to keep its jet engines off until just before takeoff.
This can save significant jet fuel (hundreds of kilograms per taxi) and reduce emissions and noise. A few airports in Europe and India have tested TaxiBot units on real flights, and the technology continues to advance. While not yet ubiquitous, such “green taxi” solutions could become standard at busy airports striving to cut carbon output.
Airports are also adopting policies to minimize engine idling for GSE, implementing centralized pre-conditioned air and electrical power at gates so that aircraft APUs (which burn jet fuel) can be turned off immediately upon arrival. Every minute of reduced APU usage translates to fuel saved and emissions avoided. According to SITA’s 2024 IT Insights, around 54% of airports have implemented energy management systems to monitor and reduce emissions in ground operations, up from 29% the previous years – a sign of rapid progress.
In sum, technology and sustainability go hand-in-hand in ground handling by making ramp operations cleaner and more energy-efficient. The trend toward electrification and eco-friendly process design not only helps airports meet environmental goals and comply with regulations, but also often yields operational benefits like lower operating costs and improved worker health conditions.
Many ground handlers report that electric tugs and carts, aside from eliminating emissions, have smoother acceleration and are easier for drivers to operate, thereby improving safety. As the industry marches toward ambitious net-zero targets by 2050, the greening of ground handling is an essential puzzle piece. From electric fleets to innovative ideas like green turnarounds (where every step of the aircraft servicing is optimized for minimal environmental impact), sustainability is now ingrained in the future of ground handling.
Conclusion
The future of ground handling is being shaped by a confluence of automation, connectivity, and intelligent systems, all while maintaining a focus on people and the planet. Autonomous vehicles are taking over repetitive tasks, IoT networks are providing granular visibility into operations, and AI is helping orchestrate the complex dance of activities during aircraft turnarounds.
We’re seeing digital twins and data analytics allow for unprecedented foresight and optimization. At the same time, new training tools and a push for upskilled workers are ensuring humans remain central and capable in this technology-driven environment. And underpinning all these advances is a commitment to safety, security, and sustainability – from robust cyber defenses to green equipment that reduces the airport’s carbon footprint.
While full automation of every ground handling task is still on the horizon, the progress in this sector is unmistakable. Airlines and ground service providers that embrace these emerging technologies stand to benefit through faster turnarounds, cost savings, and enhanced safety and reliability.
An operation where baggage carts drive themselves, AI platforms prevent delays, workers manage fleets from a high-tech command center, and electric vehicles quietly go about their business is no longer science fiction – it’s actively being tested and rolled out in 2025 and beyond.
The end result will be a smoother travel experience for passengers and a more resilient, future-ready ground handling operation for airports worldwide. By balancing innovation with training and robust security, the ground handling industry is preparing for a new era of efficiency and excellence on the ramp.
