Proposed new airport ground handling safety policy

Proposed guidance on ground handling safety standards at the Isle of Man Airport aims to be "proportionate to the potential risks", the Civil Aviation Administration has said.

A policy has been developed by the administration after the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) identified a need for the regulation of the service.

Proposals, which include the introduction of a safety management system and ground handling service manual, are the subject of a consultation.

Organisations dealing with passengers, baggage, cargo or mail, as well as those providing aircraft services such refuelling, have been encouraged to respond.

The document explains that until recently the international civil aviation safety regulatory system had not included the direct regulation of ground handling services.

Changes to standards by the ICAO will require states, including the Isle of Man, to establish criteria for safety oversight of procedures and practices.

The consultation outlines the principles of the plan, which includes a process for reporting safety-related issues and the Civil Aviation Administration's plans for "risk and performance-based safety oversight" of providers at Ronaldsway.

It also explains that industry standards for ground handling and safety would be followed.

The administration suggested it was "not necessary or appropriate at this time" for the island to legislate ground handling service standards, but said it would "instead will publish policy and guidance for these services".

"An important part of the considerations has been to ensure that the scope of ground handling services that will be regulated is appropriate and proportionate to the potential aviation and public safety risks", it added

It has been proposed that the policy would come into effect three months after being published.

The consultation is available online until 16 February.

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