Pride of Ground Handling Awards Winners 2021

Unsung Hero Award

Winner: Magdalena Chojnowska and Piotr Popławski, LS Airport Services

Both Magdalena and Piotr both showed an outstanding level of service and compassion. They saved a passenger’s life after they fell from height on the boarding stairs. Magdalena and Piotr put the passengers life and wellbeing ahead of their own by performing resuscitation during the pandemic.

Ramp Safety Award

Winner: Lukasz Berzynski, LS Airport Services

One of the most concerning tasks we have in the GH industry is weight and balance. All the judges agreed that Lukasz done an excellent job in spotting the balance safety issue and challenging the customer with their data. Serious consequence could have arisen from this not being spotted.

Handler-Airline Innovation Award

Winner: In Solo Ground Handling – HIT: Highly Immersive Training

In a time when the entire supply chain is struggling with staff shortages, it’s great to see an a ground handler and airline working out a creative solution. HIT shows out of the box thinking to deploy technology to skill up employees when more traditional training options were significantly reduced or paused completely during the crisis.

GSE Innovation Award

Winner: OROK – Baggage and cargo handling automation solution

Our judges remarked that the entry from Orok was completely unique and stood apart from the other entries. They said it was the future of automation using the strengths of both human and technology. 

Sustainability Award

Winner: Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl)

Hactl started their sustainability programme in 2018, and it is quite spectacular what they have achieved in just three years. They have looked at all dimensions of sustainability, embedding it fully in their corporate culture. Overall, it was a very inspiring and impressive entry. 

Best Cargo Handling Operation Award

Winner: Menzies Aviation, Air Cargo Services

Our judges found this a very hard choice to make because all of the participants have really showed lots of passion and motivation especially considering all the challenges of 2020 and 2021 but Menzies stood out with their ability to go extra mile and to show the highest dedication when it was really needed. They have as well demonstrated that collaboration is not just a nice and frequently used word, its real actions behind it.

Best Station Award

Winner: Gerry’s dnata, Islamabad

Gerry’s dnata Islamabad went above and beyond what the industry was normally having to do, not with the Covid support that they were giving but the emotional pressure of dealing with the Afghanistan refugee crisis. This was a double pressure on the station in a very difficult humanitarian situation.

Awards Night