Now that summer is in full swing, many of us will try to utilize some vacation. Of course, getting away from the job for some extended time off can be easier said than done.
According to Airlines for America (A4A), an estimated 257.4 million travelers are expected to take to the skies between June 1 and Aug. 31. That’s a whopping 2.8 million people per day. That projection represents an all-time record number, up 3.4 percent from last year’s record-setting 248.8 million flyers.
With this staggering figure, airlines need to accommodate passengers with additional flights, which in turn, leads to more ground handling requirements.
It is an excellent opportunity to gauge our industry and discover our greatest strengths and weaknesses.
Whether you are out on the ramp, turning around an increased number of planes; in an office allocating resources to handle more flights; or even traveling to a sandy beach with your preferred airline, there is a chance to take a critical look at how the ground support world is performing. After all, passengers will be taking notice too.
Are planes being fueled efficiently? Is cargo being loaded and off-loaded promptly? Are bags being handled and sorted accurately? These are all questions the industry faces regularly. But with the busy summer ahead, these questions will be answered even more frequently.
Those of us in the ground support world know how important this work is, and soon many people will be aware too. Hopefully, they’ll be aware for the right reasons – not because their lodging a complaint with an airline.
Enjoy the summer.
