The Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO), in cooperation with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) EUR/NAT Regional Office, held the Workshop on Ground Handling Operations and Apron Safety Management in Rabat, Morocco, from 20 to 22 October 2026.
The workshop brought together 33 participants from 11 States and representatives of six organizations and industry stakeholders, providing a platform for exchanging expertise and strengthening cooperation on ground handling safety and apron management.
The event reflects ACAO’s commitment to supporting its Member States in strengthening aviation safety capabilities, promoting regulatory convergence and advancing a coordinated regional approach to operational risks, in line with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices.
Ground handling and apron operations are critical components of the aviation safety chain. The increasing complexity of airport environments, the interaction of multiple service providers and the need for efficient aircraft turnaround operations make effective coordination, robust safety management and consistent operational standards essential to safe and reliable air transport.
The workshop addressed seven key areas, covering ground handling regulatory frameworks and standards, service provider practices, business aviation, operational procedures, industry variations and standards alignment, Safety Management Systems (SMS), and apron management and safety considerations.
Key outcomes and recommendations
The workshop identified several priorities for strengthening ground handling safety at regulatory, managerial and operational levels.
These include encouraging States to identify regulatory gaps and develop ground handling requirements aligned with ICAO provisions, while promoting results-oriented regulations and risk-based oversight by Civil Aviation Authorities. Participants also emphasized the need to harmonize operational procedures in order to avoid unnecessary variations in operational procedures, clarify responsibilities and improve coordination between airlines, aerodrome operators and ground handling service providers.
Further priorities include strengthening hazard identification, occurrence reporting and risk mitigation; ensuring senior management commitment and appropriate resource allocation; and improving personnel training, competency assessment, and the safe inspection and maintenance of ground support equipment.
In addition, the Workshop called for stronger national, regional and international exchanges of safety information, lessons learned and good practices, particularly in relation to apron risks, aircraft turnaround, operational coordination, aircraft damage and personnel injuries.
Strengthening ACAO’s regional leadership
For ACAO, these outcomes reinforce the strategic importance of regional cooperation in translating international standards into practical and measurable improvements in aviation safety. Through its partnership with ICAO and its Member States, ACAO seeks to facilitate the exchange of expertise, encourage harmonized approaches and strengthen the collective capacity of Arab States to address shared operational risks.
Through initiatives of this kind, ACAO continues to advance its regional role in promoting safer, more harmonized and more resilient aviation operations, ensuring that the development of air transport across the Arab region is accompanied by continuous improvements in safety performance.
The workshop concluded on 22 October 2026, with a shared emphasis on strengthening regulatory frameworks, improving operational coordination and harmonization as well as fostering a stronger culture of safety across ground handling and apron operations.
Note: For further details please visit the dedicated webpage for that WS.
