New EU ground handling safety regulations introduced

11 March 2025: The European Commission has introduced the first-ever ground handling safety regulations, integrating ground handing into the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) framework.

The new ground handling regulations, published in the Official Journal on 7 March and set to come into force on 27 March, with a three-year transition period to achieve compliance, aim to establish a scalable management system that aligns with the size and complexity of operations.

These regulations cover safety management, safety culture, training requirements for ground handling personnel, a maintenance programme for the ground support equipment used in GH services and general operational requirements for the provision of GH services.

The new rules come in two parts:

• Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/20 – setting requirements for ground handling organisations.
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/23 – defining oversight responsibilities for national aviation authorities.

The regulatory package also includes amendments to existing air operations, aerodrome and cybersecurity regulations, ensuring seamless integration of ground handling requirements as a vital link between aircraft and aerodrome operations- (EU) 2025/21, (EU) 2025/22 & (EU) 2025/24.

Ground handling activities covered include loading and unloading, passenger boarding, refuelling, de-icing and aircraft turnaround coordination.

The regulations mandate management systems, training standards and continued competence requirements, while also integrating cybersecurity provisions.

EASA will now support the industry and national authorities in implementing these changes, with full compliance required by 2028. The new rules establish clear responsibilities, relieving air operators of oversight obligations for ground handling services at EU airports

The delegated and implementing regulation along with all applicable amendments can be found in the downloads section in the top right corner.

EASA will present to members and take questions on the subject at the upcoming ERA Safety Group on 3 April.  

To register, please click here