The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported that the IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) Portal and IATA’s Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) are driving greater standardization of ground handling processes around the world.
The organization states that this is particularly important for the rapid build-up of operations as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. Since the IGOM Portal’s launch in January 2022, 58 airlines and 11 ground service providers (GSPs) have subscribed to its services. The portal enables airlines and ground handlers to interface with the IGOM Portal. The portal is an online platform where, with IGOM as the primary reference, airlines and GSPs can exchange information, including any variations, on their ground handling requirements. The IGOM Portal is available free of charge to all airlines and GSPs.
Since March 2022, 28 airlines have joined ISAGO, thereby using 500 audit reports available to complement their oversight activities. ISAGO provides an independent assessment of all aspects of managing and providing safe ground handling services, based on the IGOM standards. Given the benefits of standardization to safety performance, IATA has urged governments to recognize ISAGO in their regulatory frameworks for safety oversight. Key among the many positive outcomes is the assurance that Safety Management Systems (SMS) are being implemented by GSPs.
Monika Mejstrikova, director of ground operations at IATA, said, “IGOM and ISAGO complement each other in driving much-needed harmonization across the ground handling sector. The boost in participation in both programs as the industry ramps up its operations is good news for both safety and efficiency. The aim of both is to reduce risk, avoid ground damage and enable standardized, sustainable operations. The efficiency and safety gains from global standardization have been proven throughout aviation’s development. The IGOM portal is helping achieve this by making it easier for airlines and GSPs to manage and monitor the implementation of standards and to understand variances. With 69 organizations already using the portal the drive for greater standardization is getting a boost.”