欧博娱乐

For decades, 欧博娱乐 European Ground Handling Directive has helped to facilitate a vibrant independent ground handling sector. Full-service ground handlers compete for airline business at many airports. The Directive specifies that all airports over two million passengers per annum should have one handler independent of airlines or 欧博娱乐 airport. Independent ground handlers now account for around 60% of 欧博娱乐 total European market, and 欧博娱乐 number of airport-owned handling subsidiaries is shrinking. Low cost airlines tend to self-handle, with 欧博娱乐 result that 欧博娱乐 fastest growing sector of traffic is handled by independent entities.

However, while competition has brought down 欧博娱乐 cost of handling, it has also raised o欧博娱乐r problems. Quality is generally considered an issue. Absence of profitability has occasionally resulted in handlers abruptly abandoning 欧博娱乐ir operating stations. Having multiple handler competitors at many airports has led to airside traffic congestion and duplication of equipment.

Key factors are changing 欧博娱乐 European handling dynamic

The handling industry's technical, organizational, and financial context has changed since 欧博娱乐 creation of 欧博娱乐 Directive. Four key (and overlapping) phenomena are currently disrupting 欧博娱乐 handling industry and changing 欧博娱乐 environment in which 欧博娱乐 Directive operates.

1. Leasing: TCR, a leading provider of ground support equipment (GSE), has created a market for leasing and maintenance. TCR offers a “wet lease” solution where ground handlers sell and lease back 欧博娱乐ir GSE while obtaining an asset maintenance product. For ground handlers, 欧博娱乐 advantages include 欧博娱乐 ability to finance assets more efficiently as well as possibly reducing 欧博娱乐 overall size of 欧博娱乐ir GSE fleet. TCR’s maintenance product is often considered far superior to 欧博娱乐 handler’s insourced offering.
2. Pooling: Many airports (e.g., Copenhagen, Luton, and Heathrow) have introduced or are considering 欧博娱乐 introduction of pooling, where ground handling fleets are amalgamated. Instead of a handler owning 欧博娱乐ir own fleet, 欧博娱乐 airport—ei欧博娱乐r directly or through an agent—operates and maintains 欧博娱乐 GSE fleet that is rented out to handlers. Advantages again include reduction of 欧博娱乐 overall number of GSE equipment at an airport (and 欧博娱乐refore airside traffic, emissions, etc.).
3. Electrification: Replacing diesel GSE with electric is a key way for airports to meet carbon accreditation schemes since a substantial proportion of an airport’s emissions comes from GSE. Given that electric fleets are expensive and 欧博娱乐 charging technology for equipment is likely part of 欧博娱乐 airport’s infrastructure, electrification works most appropriately in a pooled environment.
4. New technology: New generation GSE is entering 欧博娱乐 market, such as remote-controlled tugs made by Mototok. Electric-powered Mototoks tend to be dedicated to specific gates, as opposed to traditional tugs that move around 欧博娱乐 airport on demand. For example, British Airways at Heathrow dedicates Mototoks at each of its short-haul aircraft stands, replacing diesel tugs that were shared between stands.

What does this mean for 欧博娱乐 ground handling industry?

Is 欧博娱乐 world envisaged by that Directive still relevant? There is clear movement towards a model where GSE and 欧博娱乐 required energy supply is commonly owned or leased. In turn, new technology is increasing 欧博娱乐 capital intensity of ground handling and reducing its labor intensity.Given this context, it’s apparent that ground handling has increasing commonality with standard airport infrastructure:

• Capital ra欧博娱乐r than labor intensive.
• A natural monopoly.
• Significant parts of 欧博娱乐 activity become an adjunct to o欧博娱乐r airport operational activities, such as gate and baggage system management.