Opinion: Adapting Ground Operations in an Era of AI

By Monika Mejstrikova, Director of Ground Operations, International Air Transport Association (IATA)

Ground operations are operating at the intersection of rising traffic, constrained infrastructure, workforce challenges, safety issues, commercial sustainability, and growing operational risks, all of which are converging at once. At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation are opening new possibilities to manage this complexity, but we need to use them wisely.

The question facing our industry is not whether change is coming. It is how we respond to it together. That is why this year’s IATA Ground Handling Conference (IGHC), taking place in Cairo from 19–21 May, is so important.

Under the theme “Adapting Ground Operations in an Era of AI,” IGHC 2026 will bring together airlines, ground handlers, airports, regulators, and vendors to focus on practical solutions. This is not about theory. It is about how AI, data, various digital tools, and automation can be applied today to improve safety performance, increase operational resilience, and reduce complexity while ensuring that human expertise remains at the center of our operations.

The agenda is built around the challenges operators and ground handlers are facing today. Discussions will explore how AI and automation can be applied in real-world settings to deliver more consistent, safe, and efficient operations. But just as importantly, we will examine the human factors that remain central to performance - fatigue, workload, decision-making, and the need for new skills in a more digital environment.

Operational resilience will also be front and center. Many airlines are navigating increasingly complex operating conditions, including high-risk environments and fuel supply volatility. These pressures directly affect ground operations, requiring more agile planning, better coordination, and stronger contingency strategies. IGHC will provide a forum to share approaches that are already delivering results, as well as to identify where further progress is needed.

Collaboration is another key theme. Stronger alignment between airlines and ground handlers, supported by better data sharing, reduction of  SOP variations,  and common performance goals, can unlock significant improvements across the operation. With regulatory developments such as the European Union’s Ground Handling Regulation on the horizon, the need for coordinated and harmonized industry-wide approaches is becoming more urgent.

The conference will also address specific operational priorities, from advancing baggage performance through improved data exchange to managing safety risks such as undeclared lithium batteries and the handling of mobility aids.

Equally valuable is the opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders and stakeholders. Keynote speakers will include senior figures from across aviation, offering perspectives on strategic priorities such as digitalization, capacity constraints, and workforce transformation. These discussions are designed not only to inform, but to challenge and inspire new thinking.

Hosted by EgyptAir in Cairo, IGHC 2026 reflects the global nature of our industry. As a major hub connecting Africa, the Middle East, and beyond, Cairo provides an ideal setting to bring together diverse perspectives and experiences.

Ground operations are evolving rapidly. The choices we make today on technology, on people, and on collaboration will define our ability to meet the demands of tomorrow.

IGHC is where the industry comes together to make those choices. IGHC is open to accredited members of the press. View the IGHC program (pdf)