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Handling agents - vetting staff, compliance with regulations 

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Handling agents - vetting staff, compliance with regulations 

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Swissport was first founded in 1996 in Switzerland and first started operating in Zurich, Geneva and basel, then the company expanded to the UK and Germany.

Swissport has now expanded its operations and now operates at 286 airports worldwide.

Swissport handles things like:

Passenger services where they handle check in desks and gates, passenger mobility, security services where they check documents, carry out passenger screening and aircraft security services like guarding and securing the aircraft by checking and searching the aircraft, and during their operation at the check in desks it is their job to ask questions like:

Did you pack the bag yourself?

Are you carrying any prohibited items (with regards to local law)

Are you carrying anything for someone else

Cargo and baggage screening, ensuring that there are no threats and security breaches within the cargo and bags.

Lost and found helping with delayed bags, and locating lost bags for customers.

Lounge hospitality, for example the aspire lounges we have in Manchester airport where they operate and manage the lounge, as well as ensuring the safety of the lounge by ensuring no lost bags are inside the lounge, no one isn’t inside the lounge who isn’t supposed to be inside the lounge.

And executive aviation which includes chartered aircraft’s where they will handle the bags, the passenger and ensure the safety and satisfaction of the customer.

In 2024 Swissport handled 212 airports where they served with check in and gate services, served 247 million passengers and partnered with 500 Airlines who trusted Swissport for the handling of the safety of the aircraft in regards to securing and searching the aircraft as well as dealing with the check in desks and gates for the airline.

Link for Swissport references used: https://www.swissport.com/

What do they do

Menzies Aviation provides ground handling and cargo services for airlines. This includes essential support for aircraft on the tarmac, such as loading baggage, fueling planes, and managing air freight, as well as passenger services in the terminal.

How do they secure the aircraft?

Menzies Aviation secures aircraft through a combination of physical safety procedures, cargo and baggage screening, and stringent employee protocols. They ensure the aircraft is physically safe on the ground, all cargo is screened for security, and their staff are vetted and trained to prevent unauthorised access.

What airlines do  they cater for

They cater for Emirates, Qatar Airways, British Airways and Ryanair

https://www.menziesaviation.cz/services/ground-handling/?lang=en

What airport do they operate

They operate in 65+ countries and over 350 airport locations

What there goals  there goals are to achieve Net Zero by 2045 through electric ground support equipment

When were they founded?

Our business was founded in 1833, eighty-six years before the world’s first non-stop transatlantic flight. It is one of the things that makes our story unique.

https://menziesaviation.com/about-overview/our-history/#:~:text=Our%20business%20was%20founded,make….

DNATA
Slogan:” In the air, on the ground, by your side”
Who they are and where they started
DNATA or the Dubai National Air Travel Agency is a ground handling company that begun in 1959 at the Dubai International Airport (DXB) and started with 5 employees. In 1973, the company completed their first expansion forming a specialist cargo division. This meant DNATA produced a 50% increase in cargo volumes within DXB throughout a 2-year period. The company now operates globally with a network of over 130 stations throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.
How they provide safety and security
DNATA formed a specialist sector called the DNATA Safety Management System (dSMS) which specialise in continuous reduction of safety risks, strengthening safety oversight and implementing effective safety assurance programs. The dSMS has enabled the team at DNATA to follow a structured format to provide safety and security in a consistent manner no matter where they work.
Source: Home | dnata

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Swissport International AG - Airport ground services and air cargo handling

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ICAO's primary responsibility in aviation security is to establish universal standards and recommended practices for the security of air transport. This prevents airports from using substandard equipment to cut costs for the purpose of cost saving.

Airport security

Access Control: ICAO’s guidelines for airport security include measures to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive areas, such as runways, control towers, and baggage handling zones. In the UK, access control is strictly enforced, with airport personnel undergoing background checks and required to carry access badges.

Perimeter Security: Airports in the UK are equipped with high-level security fences, surveillance cameras, and security patrols to ensure the integrity of airport perimeters. ICAO’s standards ensure that airports maintain continuous surveillance of their grounds to prevent unauthorized access.

Security training and certificates

In the UK, the CAA provides comprehensive training programs for aviation security professionals. This includes certification in areas such as security screening, cargo security, and emergency response. These training programs are directly aligned with ICAO’s recommendations and provide industry personnel with the skills required to handle emerging threats. IACO is driectly involved in the evolution of UK airport security with procedures being constantly reviewed and updated.

ICAO Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/@ICAOYouTube

source- https://ffac.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ICAO-Annex-17-Security.pdf

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MAG is a group that owns and operates 3 UK airports. They are responsible for providing airport security equipment and training to all of its staff. They must do comprehensive background checks on all people who apply for a job at any of the MAG airports. They also do a DBS check which checks for any criminal history which would prohibit them from getting a job at an airport.

When they do employ new people they must provide them with GSAT training which helps make sure that their employees know and follow all of the safety rules and regulations to keep their passengers safe.

MAG also provides all of their airports with new and certified security equipment such as: full-body scanners, X-ray systems, CCTV and fire alarm systems. These are all paid for by MAG to try and avoid any security breaches and to follow the rules set by the government.

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Home Office (Police & Anti Terrorism Legislation)

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Home Office (Police & Anti Terrorism Legislation)

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This Home Office legislation requires all UK Immigration status with an EVISA. It focuses on border security and immigration controls by UK Border Force to inspect passengers and goods at airports. This legislation requires Border Force Officers to check clearly and making sure that passenger have the correct travel documentation and a valid VISA to enter the UK. Also, the Home Office uses charter flights to enforce the national security for individuals to leave the UK if they do not have the valid documents.

Finally, the Home Office has established the ATC scheme. This act requires aviation security to prevent staffs by entering the restricted areas of the airport without a valid GSAT Certificate.

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Department of Transport-DFT and TRANSEC- Part 2 

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Department of Transport-DFT and TRANSEC- Part 2 

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Transport Security and Contingencies directories-TRANSEC is responsible for regulating and monitoring compliance with aviation security standards in the UK. TRANSEC issues directions to airlines, airports and others and requires these directed parties to carry out the measures specified such as screening the passengers and their bags. These directions are usually vague so that airlines and airports can find the optimum way to carry them out.

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Department of Transport-DFT and TRANSEC british logo

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The UK CAA stands for Civil Aviation Authority. Established by parliament in 1972, it is a public corporation that is responsible for ensuring the safety of civil aviation in the UK.

The air navigation order adds the UK's agreement under the convention on international civil aviation and regulates aspects of aviation safety. It provides regulatory and enforcement powers for the civil aviation authority needed in respect of retained aviation safety legislation. In a number of places, the air navigation orders cites provisions of the "basic regulation", which is defined in Schedule 1 of the Air Navigation Order as Regulation (EC) No 216/2008. However, Regulation (EC) No216/2008 was repealed and replaced by Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, which has been retained in UK domestic law. Therefore, the air navigation order currently contains outdated references to repealed legislation, which need to be amended. The draft instrument published today will ensure that the air navigation order is able to operate as intended, by accurately citing the correct retained legislation.

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We’re the UK’s aerospace regulator. Through our skills and expertise, we’re recognised as a world leader in the field.

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The Department for Transport leads the aviation security  policy and set the national standards for aviation and transport related security alongside the CAA. They hold the main responsibility for international relations and advising the security directions under the Aviation Security Act 1982. They also have to respond to aviation incidents and provide advice on how to deal with them. The DfT is responsible for setting policy and strategy standards for the UK Aviation Industry, and represent the UK in international forums and negotiate international agreements related to aviation. While the CAA handles normal regulations and airlines handle their own operations, the DfT has to actually make the rules and work with these bodies to ensure safe and secure aviation policies. The DfT also provides training and advice to other countries to help them manage potential threats to their aviation industry. They also help develop new technologies to support the UK aviation industry and future aviation technologies, working alongside the CAA. The DfT also works closely with NATS, the body that handles air traffic in the UK. The current head of the Dft is Heidi Alexander MP.

Policy and Strategy:

The DfT sets the overall national aviation policy, working with airlines, airports, the CAA, and NATS to develop and implement the UK's aviation strategy.

Aviation Security:

The department leads on aviation security policy, coordinating with the CAA for its implementation and providing expertise on security measures and threats.

International Relations:

The DfT represents the UK at international forums, negotiates common standards for aviation security, and works with partner countries to achieve UK security objectives globally.

Environmental Standards:

The DfT sets and enforces UK environmental standards related to aviation, including noise levels at airports.

Oversight of Overseas Capacity:

It provides training and advice to other countries to help manage potential threats to aviation security.

Partnership with the CAA:

While the CAA is responsible for the direct regulation of UK aviation, the Secretary of State for Transport is accountable for the CAA's actions.

Support for New Technologies:

The DfT is involved in developing the regulatory framework for future aviation technologies, such as urban air mobility (UAM) systems, by working with the CAA to enable their safe and sustainable introduction.

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport/about#:~:text=setting%20national%20aviation%20policy%2C%20working,the%20UK's%20air%20traffic%20service)

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a78c07c40f0b62b22cbc832/civil-aviation-bill-aviation-security-brief.pdf

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Local authority provision of police at UK airports depends on the airports designation status under the Aviation Security Act 1982. For the nine major designated airports, the airport operator is legally responsible for funding a permanent police presence, which is then set out in a Police Services Agreement (PSA) with the local police force and police authority. For other non-designated airports, policing costs are funded by the relevant police authority, with voluntary contributions from the airport operator. photo: Airport | Police.uk