Airport Handling Services (AHS) is a well established company with a proud reputation of aircraft interior cleaning, toilet and water service, wheelchair services, airline office cleaning and lounge services, mishandled baggage delivery, baggage reconciliation services, crew bussing and an industrial laundry. These services are provided exclusively for the aviation industry. Established 34 years ago, AHS operates at South Africa’s three international airports; Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban as well as Port Elizabeth, East London and George Airports. AHS currently serves in excess of 40 international and domestic airlines and associated service providers.

On-site management at the airports, together with appropriate staffing structures have resulted in a committed, hands-on approach to successfully service in excess of 6000 flight movements per month. This pressurised and highly demanding environment requires constant vigilance in the services provided. We are proud to say that AHS has a success ratio of greater than 99% on these flights serviced, including deep cleans on aircraft that require 130 man-hours per turnaround. A high standard of service is evident in all areas of our activities.

Airport Handling Services is a member of the IATA Ground Handling Council and is represented at the Annual Conferences in order to remain fully informed on matters pertaining to the Ground Handling Industry. Our Operations Managers are all IATA trained in Ramp Safety.

Our close working relationships with the various International and Domestic Carriers and vendors has given us an in-depth understanding of the Airline’s requirements and as such has enabled us to be pro-active in all aspects of our service including delay recovery, advising on revised specifications, procedures and load-plans, recycling of equipment, preparation of cabin-dressing sets, safe guarding of airline assets in the execution of our services, a strictly controlled lost property procedure for items left on-board by passengers.

We acknowledge that in a service industry, our staff remain our key resource. AHS has an in house training department and fully equipped training centre to facilitate the training and skills development of our staff. Internal refresher training takes place on an ongoing basis to ensure the skills of our staff are kept up to date and areas concerning safety are never compromised due to complacency.

Airport Handling Services is committed to Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) participation as detailed in the Department of Trade and Industry and Employment Equity (EE) principles in our organisation. In July 2002, 80% of AHS was acquired by DINATLA Property Services (Pty) Ltd (Dinatla), a BEE company. The remaining 20% was acquired by Bassap Investments (Pty) Ltd, a further BEE Company. The result is that AHS has BEE ownership in excess of 70% and has thus clearly demonstrated a commitment to transformation. In addition to the BEE shareholding, AHS maintains its transformation in terms of the Employment Equity Act and Skills Development Act.

In addition AHS has a Fixed Base Operator’s License to provide services to all non-scheduled flights. All aspects of the non-scheduled flights are handled by AHS including passenger processing, wheelchairs, meet and assist, baggage management. AHS also has extensive experience with the handling of VIP flights including Presidential, Celebrity, Royalty, Foreign Ministers and Business people.

All staff involved in service provision are employed by AHS, wear AHS uniform and utilize AHS equipment. The utilization of suitable equipment is benchmarked against the best international standards. AHS has all the necessary insurance for the provision of these services.

As a member of the BIDVEST Group, one of the top five companies in South Africa, AHS together with associated companies within the Group is poised for further major growth and development within the Aviation industry in Southern Africa.

 

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