IATA’s 37th Ground Handling Conference in Nairobi: Elevating Operations and Workforce Development for a Resilient Aviation Future
(IN SHORT) IATA has declared that the 37th IATA Ground Handling Conference (IGHC) will be held in Nairobi, Kenya from 13 to 15 May 2025, marking its first time on the African continent. The conference will concentrate on modernizing ground handling operations, bolstering workforce development, and enhancing coordination and collaboration across the sector to improve overall performance. IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, highlighted that the focus is on “elevating” ground handling by adopting innovative approaches that ensure the sector can better support and drive aviation growth.
(PRESS RELEASE) GENEVA, 2025-Apr-2 — /Travel PR News/ — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that this year’s 37th IATA Ground Handling Conference (IGHC) will center on modernizing operations, investing in workforce development, and enhancing collaboration to drive better performance in the ground handling sector. Speaking about the event, IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh stated, “Ground handling is fundamental to the safety, efficiency, and resilience of the entire aviation industry. At this year’s IGHC, our focus is on ‘elevating’ the sector. We aim to identify ways to modernize operations, develop our workforce, and strengthen coordination and collaboration, ensuring ground handling not only supports but accelerates industry growth.”
The conference will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 13 to 15 May 2025, marking the first time it has been hosted on the African continent, with Kenya Airways serving as the host. Key speakers include His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya; Willie Walsh; and Allan Kilavuka, CEO of Kenya Airways.
IGHC will feature a series of plenary sessions, specialized tracks, and workshops. Topics will cover vital areas such as ground operations—focusing on the reliability of Ground Support Equipment (GSE), the transition to hydrogen-powered GSE, harmonized training benefits, and key safety issues for ground personnel. Additionally, a dedicated session on baggage operations will address real-time tracking, modern messaging standards, and the adoption of electronic bag tags. Sessions on collaboration and innovation will examine airport–ground handler partnerships, the impact of privatization, and upcoming regulations in the ground handling arena.
Recognizing the crucial role that ground operations play in Africa’s burgeoning aviation sector, President Dr. William Samoei Ruto has invited regulators and aviation authorities from across the continent to attend. “Aviation has the power to transform economic and social development, and its potential to drive prosperity in Africa is immense. Kenya’s commitment to hosting IGHC underlines our belief in aviation as a key driver of development both in our country and across the continent,” Dr. Ruto remarked.
This landmark event, hosted in Nairobi, underscores IATA’s dedication to supporting aviation growth in Africa as part of its broader Focus Africa initiative. Allan Kilavuka of Kenya Airways added, “As Africa’s aviation leader, we are honored to pioneer this event. Hosting IGHC 2025 here reaffirms our mission to drive innovation, foster partnerships, and showcase Africa’s readiness to shape the future of global air travel, unlocking prosperity and enhanced connectivity.”
View the IGHC program (pdf)
For more information, please contact:
Corporate Communications
Tel: +41 22 770 2967
Email: corpcomms@iata.org
SOURCE:IATA
