Ground Support Worldwide - 32

GROUND SERVICE
PROVIDERS

we're not leaving anything behind or sending it
back to where that airplane is going," Giacona
describes.
"We also, at the end of the flight, take pictures again of the airplane showing that we
did not damage the airplane in any way, shape
or form before that airplane pushes back and
heads to its destination," he continues. "And
all of that is uploaded into an internet-based
system that our customer has a login for and
they can log-in at any time and see all of those
photos and see what we're doing with their
airplane."
iRod also benefits AccuFleet's employees,
streamlining worker communication and
offering training, education and certification
programs, which has helped AccuFleet keep
turnover low. Rudkin says it is another benefit
to assist AccuFleet during a bid process.
"We're driven by the idea of making ourselves a place that people prefer to work for. We

want to be an employer of choice. Particularly
with the ground handling world and working
in airports, there's a big disadvantage in turnover if you have to wait for badging and certification to maintain the workforce that you
have. So that's a big piece of it," Rudkin says.
Hough, too, says that while larger companies may be able to offer more competitive
pricing, GAT's focus is on attention to customer satisfaction and the quality of service.
"While some of the larger ground handlers have the scale to offer more competitive
pricing at times and much larger back office
staff teams to aid on administrative tasks, our
explosive growth is due to our commitment to
quality and delivering a new kind of service
provider experience. Our customers seem to be
noticing the difference," Hough details.
"Over the last three years, GAT has transformed from a solid service provider with a
good reputation into a top-level provider,"

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32 GROUND SUPPORT WORLDWIDE

MAY 2020

Hough adds. "We have differentiated by starting from a deep cultural base focused on our
team and our core values and layered in best
in class safety practices, technology, and data
management to become consistently ranked
in the top one or two service providers by our
largest customers."

Don't Forget About the Airport
While generally not entering the process until
a ground service provider and airline have
agreed upon a contract, the airport where a
vendor will be entering is still an important
factor of the equation. Knowing an airport's
nuances can set apart one bidder from another.
"Know the airport and its key players,"
Hough stresses.
Rudkin says AccuFleet incorporates the
airport into their bid modeling when entering a new location.
"When we're looking at a procurement at
a new airport that we haven't been in, part of
the due diligence for us is to find out, what are
the costs per square foot to rent office space, is
it on the ramp or off the ramp? What does it
cost for badging for employees?" Rudkin says.
"We look at every part, whether it's a franchise
fee or a service fee that the airport charges. We
don't want any surprises."
Each airport is different, says Giacona, and
the service that will be provided influences
what a company will need from the airport
to get up and running, but every vendor will
need at least an operating permit.

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Ground Support Worldwide

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