SUMMER 2018 www.ags-airlinegroundservices.com IATA GROUND HANDLING CABIN REPAIR: REGIONAL REPORTS: DIGITALISATION: CONFERENCE 2018 ARE YOU SITTING AFRICA AND EUROPE CONSUMER TECHNOLOGY HEADS TO DOHA COMFORTABLY? IN THE SPOTLIGHT AND SHADOW IT 00 Cover AGS-SUM18.indd 1 28/03/2018 11:59 Delivering excellence worldwide Discover an award-winning, premier ground handling organisation based out of Hamad International Airport (HIA), the hub of Qatar Airways. From passenger services to baggage operations and ground handling, QAS is at the forefront of innovation, quality and operational excellence. Visit qataraviation.com email
[email protected] EDITOR’S LETTER | SUMMER 2018 LETTER FROM SUMMER 2018 THE EDITOR www.ags-airlinegroundservices.com IATA GROUND HANDLING CABIN REPAIR: REGIONAL REPORTS: DIGITALISATION: CONFERENCE 2018 ARE YOU SITTING AFRICA AND EUROPE CONSUMER TECHNOLOGY HEADS TO DOHA COMFORTABLY? IN THE SPOTLIGHT AND SHADOW IT ello and welcome to the Summer 2018 edition of Airline JAMES SHERIDAN Ground Services. Chairman
[email protected] This issue went to press in the run-up to the 31st IATA Ground Handling Conference, taking place in PARVEEN RAJA Publisher Doha on 22-25 April. The association’s Ground Ops
[email protected] Hteam gives us a flavour of what to expect from the gathering – and we JUSTIN BURNS bring you interviews from co-hosts Qatar Airways and Qatar Aviation Associate Editor Services.
[email protected] We also cover the impending entry into force of IATA’s Resolution TOM WILLIS 753 on baggage tracking. Will the industry be ready in time? News Editor Our regional round-ups for Summer focus on Africa, a market
[email protected] with huge potential that continues to be plagued with considerable HARLEY KHAN challenges, and Europe, where ground handlers face tight margins Head of Commercial
[email protected] and are investing heavily to survive.