Digital workforce planning for ground handling personnel

An efficient and flexible workforce planning system is essential for airport ground handling. topsystem Systemhaus GmbH has developed a new workforce and shift planning tool to optimise the time-consuming organisation of employees. The rostering software APHIS (Aviation Personnel Handling and Information System) is tailored to the exact requirements of ground handlers. It uses all information on flight times and service level agreements, and then combines it with the employee master data that has been saved. The result is a clear management and allocation of tasks as well as the possibility of flexibly responding to last-minute changes. APHIS was developed in close cooperation with partner firm AHS Aviation Handling Services, represented by its Munich branch where the software has already been successfully used.

Whether it be through illness-related leave or holiday and shift planning, a reliable deployment of staff is crucial to a disruption-free working operation, especially in the dynamic environment of airport ground handling. Thanks to its many years of expertise in the aviation industry, topsystem knows the requirements of ground handlers right down to the smallest detail. APHIS makes it much easier to create workforce plans and shift schedules, which are otherwise time-consuming and often error-prone. In addition, the tool enables a reliable management of the service level agreements (SLA) in place with airlines, in which the number of personnel required for aircraft ground handling services is documented. The personnel planner is able to plan schedules easily and intuitively based on the saved information concerning the qualifications of employees and the detailed flight data. This ensures that employees are given tasks they are specifically qualified for. In the event of last-minute flight changes, delays or bottlenecks, plans can be altered using a drag-and-drop system. The software also takes into account various working hours and break time models as well as the shift requests of employees. Ground handlers have access to the operational database, meaning that they can also view current flight data. Furthermore, APHIS simplifies the invoicing process. SLA-related services and additional services can be directly verified and calculated in the software.

AHS, a client of topsystem for many years and service provider for airlines, has been successfully using the system solution at Munich Airport. AHS is one of the leading service providers for airlines in Germany and offers a broad spectrum of services related to the handling of passengers and aircraft. The company has helped to reduce the unproductive scheduling of employee shifts in the fields of passenger handing and operations. APHIS can be used in connection with topsystem’s Ground Handling System (GHS), which is used at more than 100 airports, or as a stand-alone module.