• every year in the EU, more than 700 million passengers trust aircraft as the safest mode of transportation and have a right to fly without risk.
• qualified and efficient aircraft handlers play an essential role in ensuring optimal utilization of existing airport infrastructure by reducing unnecessary ground time and malfunctions for passengers.
• demand in the European air transportation sector will more than double by 2025, and aircraft handlers will have to handle increasing numbers of aircraft at shorter and shorter intervals – with no margin of error.
• the range of tasks assigned to aircraft handlers and the job expectations have greatly increased and will become more complex and involve more responsibility in the years ahead – with a parallel increase in the potential dangers.
• damage to aircraft – even minor damage – may result in major harm to persons and economic losses. prevention may save millions.
• qualified aircraft handlers with a recognized EU-wide qualification have better career opportunities.
• security and safety are fundamental to air transportation and the quality of every link in the chain of safe flight operations must be ensured – also for aircraft handlers.

The enormously valuable contribution of aircraft handlers to smooth and safe air travel does not become obvious to outsiders until something doesn’t work.

However, the aircraft handler’s job has become a technically sophisticated, highly complex and responsible occupation. The demands in terms of safety, security and profitability are constantly increasing.

When it comes to our safety and security on board the aircraft, the focus must be on quality. That’s enough reason to introduce a uniform EU-wide minimum qualification standard.