Aviramp spins the effects of the pandemic’s global negativity, to introduce new breakthrough equipment for aviation ground handling!

So, during the pandemic, Aviramp continued to support customers, by listening to specific ground handling challenges, undertaking some due diligence regarding this, and ultimately investing this forced manufacturing ‘downtime’ into something useful and worthwhile longer term; innovation and product development.

Aviramp are indigenous innovators. It is in the DNA. It lies at the heart of what we do. So, our positive response to ‘lockdown’ and ‘restriction’, was to get stuck into launching our ‘solar-powered’ range of mobile passenger boarding ramps and bridges. This directly answered the concerns of helping with sustainability and issues around the aviation environmental mandate. In fact, COVID 19 collided heavily with these developments, and subsequent launch, however this did not deter the Aviramp team. We wanted to prepare well for the eventual ‘rebooting’ of the entire world,and knew how much the ground handling sector had embraced our passenger boarding suite, and its raft of benefits. The industry loved the versatility of this equipment, so to offer a solar version with all the extra advantages seemed to us, a no-brainer, and it was interpreted as a brave, and groundbreaking move! It put tactics to one side. What is more we also offered a ‘retrofit’ service, to convert customer owned existing diesel-powered ramps into new energy efficient solar units.

We listened more intently and innovated even further, by introducing a real ‘first’, with our ‘Stretcher Compatible Passenger Boarding’ product. This was something ground handlers had been complaining about for many years, how to safely, quickly and effectively transit stretcher bound passengers on and off aircraft. Well, Aviramp’s modifications to the existing mobile boarding ramps delivered, and this product has since been seen as a vital ‘enabler’ to streamline boarding and deplaning, whilst reducing delays and managing passenger volumes. It didn’t stop there! We also launched the ’Multi-Lifter’ product, a simple yet ingenious compact product, that stows heavy items, in and out of the aircraft hold. Great for heavy wheelchairs and the like.

So, our ‘downtime’ was wisely spent, responding with cost-effective solutions, to age old problems.

Fortunately, we enjoy strong, open relationships with both customers and influencers within the industry, and this insight and advocacy has enabled us to weather the storm.

Customers were grateful for our speedy responses to servicing equipment, and delivering new parts when needed, and although shipping legislation and visa restrictions at this period proved exacerbating, we tried to send installation teams and engineers out globally, where we could, to help with customer demand.

Now, the industry is in recovery, and the travel industry is beginning to rebuild. More airports are opening closed terminals and building passenger volumes once again. The world is finally on the move. So too at Aviramp, we are also starting to rebuild in terms of enquiries and sales, from both new and existing customers. Being an independently owned manufacturer, we know there is already a great deal of respect and loyalty towards us.

In fact, during the lockdown periods, we not only innovated, but we also operationally trialled these new products, at various UK based airports, to ensure they were ‘fit for purpose’. We also came up with new modifications for various optional extras, for our flagship Aviramp passenger boarding product as well. Moreover, our sister company Alloy Ramps being a specialist in general ramps manufacture, for access and loading, remained very busy during this economically difficult time, servicing the medical supplies and home delivery sectors. Again, we innovated here with super streamlined folding van and truck ramps, along with swivel versions, for safer, faster and easier loading requirements. This business also thrived on producing bespoke ramp systems for specific industry access requirements in maritime, and rail sectors, to name but a few.

2022 sees Aviramp reinvesting yet again, and building up operationally on all sides, with even more products to offer! What is more, 2021 delivered the most sought-after recognition; the Queen’s Award, for exponential growth in  export trade. A great honour, and morale boost for the company, and indeed the industry we represent.

As a business, we never forget our duty, and commitment to continue to deliver simply constructed, low-maintenance products, that meet all the safety and operational KPIs, alongside ensuring the best possible passenger experience, particularly for those with reduced mobility. We are always mindful of the need for a streamlined and quick turnaround process too, and this also underpins all of our GSE product offering. Furthermore, we have also offered outstanding cost effectiveness in comparison with other counterpart GSE, and now post-pandemic, cost will feature heavily, more so than ever before. So again, Aviramp really does stand out with its product proposition.

We have always been exemplary, in working with customer operational teams, to create a fluid ground handling process, that is completely customised for them. So, we can offer as little or as much, as the customer determines. Now we also offer a carbon-free alternative, even more compelling for the industry.

It is fair to say that the Aviramp business and team remain very positive, highly focussed, forward-thinking and motivated, for what the future may bring, with all its endless possibilities to embrace change in this post pandemic ‘new world’ of aviation ground handling.