Picture credit: Menzies Aviation
The regulations have been brought into the regulatory framework of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which has the task of supporting the industry and authorities in implementing the changes by 2028.
The rules come in two parts, the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/20 containing requirements for organisations and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/23 with requirements for competent authority oversight of ground handling services and of organisations providing those services.
Existing regulations on air operations, aerodromes and cybersecurity have been amended as part of the regulatory package for smooth integration of the new ground handling requirements.
The regulations come into force this month (March 2025) and stakeholders have three years to become compliant with the new rules.
Jesper Rasmussen, Flight Standards Director at EASA, said: “For this major area of aviation, EASA will now build further on the mature standards currently used in the industry. With the new authority oversight, ground handlers become formally responsible for the safe provision of services, thus relieving air operators of this obligation when operating from an EU aerodrome in the scope of EASA Regulations.”
The new rules were developed by EASA with experts from authorities, ground handling service providers, aircraft operators, aerodromes and a workers’ trade federation.
The aim was to make sure the regulations are proportionate, address the identified needs of the industry and maintain business continuity through a smooth transfer from the current regime to the new approach.
Coordination will happen in groups with one area of focus working with ground handlers, aerodromes and aircraft operators so parties understand the new interfaces and responsibilities for their organisations.
EASA says bureaucratic hurdles must be kept as low as possible and EASA will streamline the process so it does not become a burden.
In the future, ground handlers will be required to submit declarations to their national aviation authorities that they meet the regulation requirements.
Oversight of ground handlers was historically the responsibility of the organisations they provided services to, leading to duplicate audits and inefficiencies for both auditors and handlers.
The new regulations aim to reduce the number of industry audits through EASA working with authorities for effective cooperation of oversight.
They will build inspector competency and experience, as well as develop harmonised training for inspectors.
Building safety data models and datasets to cover risk-based oversight is another requirement.
The regulations introduce mandatory management systems and training standards and require continued competence from ground handling personnel.
