What is the territorial requirement for AOC holders to be part of a single air carrier business grouping?

The AOC holders' PPoB must be in a territory to which the EU Treaties apply.

GM1 Article 3(1c) Definitions

Q: How should the term 'aircraft operator' be understood in the context of self-handling, and does it require the operator to be part of a single air carrier business grouping?

In the context of self-handling, 'aircraft operator' should be understood as an aircraft operator that may or may not be part of a single air carrier business grouping, unless specified otherwise.

Q: When is a self-handling aircraft operator that provides ground handling services to other operators considered a ground handling organisation under Regulation (EU) 2025/20?

A self-handling aircraft operator providing GH services to other aircraft operators that are not part of the same single air carrier business grouping is considered to be a GH organisation as identified in paragraph 1(a) of Article 2 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/20. In such a case, the Regulation is fully applicable to such an organisation.

Q: What is the definition of a 'single air carrier business grouping' and what are its key characteristics?

A single air carrier business grouping refers to two or more air operator certificate (AOC) holders whose PPoB is in a territory to which the EU Treaties apply. Those AOC holders may or may not facilitate the harmonisation of their management systems and operations for the purpose of applying the requirements for self-handling in a harmonised way.

Q: In which situations is the concept of a single air carrier business grouping used in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/20?

The concept is used for situations where an aircraft operator provides GH services not only to itself through self-handling but also to other aircraft operators that are part of the same business grouping.

Q: What are the three purposes served by the application of the single air carrier business grouping concept?

The purposes are: (1) to avoid the duplication of GH requirements; (2) to enable AOC holders performing self-handling, including providing GH services to aircraft operators that are part of the same business grouping, to identify the competent authority to which they should submit a declaration; and (3) to enable effective and efficient oversight, including cooperative oversight.

Q: Does the definition of a single air carrier business grouping require the AOC holders to have harmonised management systems?

No, the AOC holders may or may not facilitate the harmonisation of their management systems and operations for the purpose of applying the requirements for self-handling in a harmonised way.

Q: What is the regulatory status of a self-handling aircraft operator that provides GH services to other operators outside its single air carrier business grouping?

It is considered to be a GH organisation as identified in paragraph 1(a) of Article 2 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/20, and the Regulation is fully applicable to such an organisation.

Q: How does the single air carrier business grouping concept help in identifying the competent authority for declaration purposes?

It enables AOC holders performing self-handling, including providing GH services to aircraft operators that are part of the same business grouping, to identify the competent authority to which they should submit a declaration.

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GM1 Article 3(1c) Definitions

ED Decision 2025/007/R

AIRCRAFT OPERATOR PROVIDING GH SERVICES

(a) The term ‘aircraft operator’, when used in relation to self‑handling, should be understood as an aircraft operator that may or may not be part of a single air carrier business grouping unless specified otherwise.

(b) A self‑handling aircraft operator providing GH services to other aircraft operators that are not part of the same single air carrier business grouping is considered to be a GH organisation as identified in paragraph 1(a) of Article 2 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/20. In such a case, the Regulation is fully applicable to such an organisation.

SINGLE AIR CARRIER BUSINESS GROUPING

(c) A single air carrier business grouping refers to two or more air operator certificate (AOC) holders whose PPoB is in a territory to which the EU Treaties apply. Those AOC holders may or may not facilitate the harmonisation of their management systems and operations for the purpose of applying the requirements for self‑handling in a harmonised way. The management systems and operations include policies, processes and procedures for GH, training of personnel performing GH activities, ground operations procedures, and the maintenance programme for GSE.

(d) This concept is used in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/20 for situations where an aircraft operator provides GH services not only to itself through self‑handling but also to other aircraft operators that are part of the same business grouping. The application of this concept serves several purposes:

(1) to avoid the duplication of GH requirements;

(2) to enable AOC holders performing self‑handling, including providing GH services to aircraft operators that are part of the same business grouping, to identify the competent authority to which they should submit a declaration; and

(3) to enable effective and efficient oversight, including cooperative oversight.

Details

Source-Title: GM1 Article 3(1c) Definitions View latest amendments

Erulesid: ERULES-1963177438-23673 Compare versions

Domain: Ground Handling

Amendedby: Issue 1

Applicabilitydate: 27 March, 2028

Entryintoforcedate: 8 July, 2025

Regulatorysource: ED Decision 2025/007/R Navigate

Regulatorysubject: Cover regulation

Typeofcontent: GM to DR

Origin: EASA

Category: EAR