28 FEBRUARY 2008 GHI this southern Red Sea virgin destination after Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada. “In our ground handling company business we address the service requirements of an aircraft between the time it arrives at the airport and the time it departs to its destination, so speed, efficiency and accuracy are important factors in minimising the turnaround time for our clients. We are looking for young, highly educated and motivated staff to be recruited by our organisation. Whilst our aim is to hire staff eager to learn they must have a good sense of customer service and be able to meld with the rest of the team, especially during peak periods and unexpected handling situations.” Amr sets great store by training, which is a very important department in his organisation. “We are convinced that such a department, with its strategy for providing all staff (senior and new alike) with up-todate industry knowledge and hi-tech solutions, results in a perfect ground handling service to our clients. “Significant improvement is always taking place in our training department, thus the entire organisation and working force can deal with any unexpected events, in any airport and at any time.” As far as he is concerned, both the Middle East and Africa will require industry finance on top of everything else: ultimately, he would like to see players bringing together handling agents, airlines, financiers and insurers. “Thus both regions could forge ahead with massive airport infrastructure expansion and moderately exciting aviation developments, including the areas of ground handling staff and equipment. Revitalisation of the aviation sector across Africa can be achieved by first of all enhancing safety; secondly by developing airport infrastructure and finally by liberalising the aviation management sector.” For MEAG, last year was a little below expectations in terms of density of traffic. “However,” says Richard Mujais, General Manager, “we were able to gain two new contracts, namely Ras el Khaimah and the UN. “We had already started increasing all types of GSE in order to cope with our fleet expansion as well as our replacement plan, which saw large equipment orders on a three year purchase span. Manufacturers are chosen via a tender process with a specialised team who look at the technical suitability, support function and product price.” Richard relates that investing in staff training has always been a key issue for the handler. “In order to meet this challenge, an effective training plan is now in place that does not only look at providing in-house operations training but also emphasises managerial courses designed to achieve the highest level of professionalism within the industry. Our trainers, who constantly participate in training programmes offered by large airline organisations, develop local up-to-date training programmes according to IATA specifications. “For the coming year, in spite of the fact that instability in the region directly affects our operation, 2008 will witness a number of issues. There will be a renewal of our ISO certification and ISAGO certification. We are looking at the implementation of a balanced scorecard and are preparing for 2009 and fleet expansion. Acquisition of equipment is on the agenda and so is staff recruitment.” In contrast, Dnata’s Tom Lewis has been, in his own words, “massively busy.” He reports a constant growth in all areas (for example, passenger volumes have been up 19% year-on-year), despite inadequate facilities and infrastructure, which will not be rectified until the new terminal and concourse are open at some point in 2008. In keeping with this expansion, his GSE fleet benefited to the tune of US$20m in 2007. “Substantial training programmes are in place for further enhancing the skills of ramp staff in order to achieve greater flexibility and productivity. However, it is becoming more difficult to recruit mid-to-senior positions due to general demand and currency exchange issues.” As for 2008, he foresees more of the same. “Emirates has another 22 aircraft being delivered this coming year: growth will therefore continue and new buildings will be desperately needed.” Mixed fortunes Charles Onukwu, speaking on behalf of Skypower Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL), reports a mixed year for the African handling company. “In terms of operations, we have fared fairly well within the last 12 months in that some new contracts were won. Some of those contracts include Avient Aviation, SDV Nigeria, the Swiss Aviation Group and Skygate Travel and Tours. It is also important to mention that we lost a significant part of our older contracts at some stations. For our cargo handling operation, we are working hard to improve our client base, and we hope that 2008 will be better as the ongoing construction of our new warehouse will be completed.” SAHCOL made a reasonable level of investment in GSE during the period under review, which involved the purchase of a conventional Douglas pushback, ten conveyor belts and some 50 dollies. Staff training has not been overlooked, either. The handler made some progress in the areas of safety, operations and procedures and DGR. Charles points out that last year’s training was somewhat compromised by a lack of funds. Company policy, along with On MEAG’s shopping list has been a quantity of new GSE.

GHI FEBRUARY 2008 29 government regulations and industry standards, guide his recruiting processes. On the topic of airlines that continue to selfhandle, his operation is targeting such carriers to apprise them of the potential benefits deriving from the outsourcing process. “We also have some airlines that are partially self-handled (where we offer only ramp services) but we are optimistic that these airlines will completely outsource their handling operations in due course.” However, he highlights a number of factors that could well inhibit future progress. “There is always the possibility of government interference,” he notes, “and we cannot discount privatisation. Then there is an ageing workforce, together with ageing equipment. We don’t yet know how e-ticketing compliance will go and we have to consider also CUSS and CUTE kiosk facilities. “Staff training and retraining are ongoing processes; beyond that we are conscious of accommodation and warehousing. Finally, we are also aware that there is a lack of competitive edge as the major airlines in Nigeria are part owners of our sister company and major competitor. “These challenges notwithstanding, we are optimistic that we will make a positive difference in 2008 when compared with what we have on the ground at the moment. This is because 2008 holds brighter hopes for the ground handling business in Nigeria.” Zega’s Colin Rhoda was happy to report that his company had retained nine accounts in all, including BA, South African Airways, Zambian Airlines and Cargolux: operations are spread around three principal stations, namely Lusaka, Livingstone and N’Dola. “Business, generally, has been healthy, with growth seen in the import sector, predominantly as a result of new investments in the copper mines,” he notes. “We were able to invest around US$750,000 in our GSE fleet which was apportioned between a maindeck high loader with a capacity of 18 tons, steps and a belt loader. We are currently exploring the purchase of electric GSE and already have LPG operated equipment in operation,” he adds. Where staff training is concerned, this is conducted through the auspices of IATA and the airlines that he handles. On the staffing question, he mentions that it is virtually impossible to recruit experienced staff for his operation, such is the scarcity of qualified personnel. Although carriers are becoming more receptive to the concept of outsourcing, Colin feels that Zega is likely to face stiff competition from outside the country in the coming year, particularly from South African companies coming to set up in Zambia. “However, we are confident that we can compete. The main challenge will be to reduce operational costs (given the high price locally of fuel), as well as communication costs.” Something to smile about For Aviance Ghana, 2007 has been interesting in that in May it was awarded a new seven year handling licence, which covers all handling disciplines: until that time, the company had been restricted to ramp work. Paul Craig, the recently appointed Station Manager, adds that in July last year Aviance launched passenger handling with Lufthansa and then 15 days later, with Emirates. “Between July and the end of 2007 we signed full handling contracts with British Airways, South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and Middle East Airlines. We expect to announce further contract awards in C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Gulf Pearl.ai 30/01/2008 10:29:09