What ground.net does

ground.net is a pan-European ground handling services alliance launched in 2013 and headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It operates as a strategic network of five specialised aviation ground handling companies — AeroGround Flughafen München GmbH (Germany), Goldair Handling (Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria), Airline Assistance Switzerland (Switzerland), GH Italia (Italy, London Heathrow), and Aviator Airport Alliance Europe AB (Scandinavia) — providing airlines with coordinated passenger, ramp, cargo, and de-icing services across more than 50 airports in over 10 European countries. The alliance targets global and regional airlines that require streamlined multi-station access under a single network agreement, rather than managing separate contracts with local handlers at each airport.

The underlying operating model is a federation of existing member-company ground handling infrastructure rather than a unified proprietary technology platform. The alliance relies on member companies' local ground handling systems, Departure Control System (DCS) support, and harmonised work procedures, sharing best practices and standardised processes across the network. Member companies hold relevant industry certifications including IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) registration, ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), and EMAS (EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme).

ground.net's commercial model is enterprise B2B service-fee-based: airlines enter multi-station network contracts with the alliance, and ground handling services are delivered by the relevant member companies at each airport station. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated on a per-contract basis depending on airports, services required, and volume. The alliance goes to market through direct enterprise relationships, a corporate website (ground.net and groundnet.aero), a LinkedIn presence, and coordinated participation at industry conferences such as the International Ground Handling Conference (IGHC) and Ground Handling International Conference (GHI). The launching customer was Aegean Airlines, announced in November 2013.

Name

ground.net

Legal name

ground.net

Website

https://ground.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

ground.net is a pan-European alliance of five specialised aviation ground handling companies providing coordinated passenger, ramp, cargo, and de-icing services to global and regional airlines across more than 50 airports in over 10 European countries under multi-station network agreements.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Ground Handling Services

NAICS

Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Ground Handling (Ramp, Baggage, Turnaround) (THABAIAC)

Keywords

• Ground handling services
• Airline handling
• Ramp services
• Cargo handling
• Passenger services

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ground Handling Services: ground.net earns revenue by providing airlines with comprehensive ground handling services (passenger, ramp, cargo, de-icing) through its pan-European network of partner companies. Airlines gain simplified multi-station access without needing separate contracts with local handlers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

ground.net is a pan-European ground handling alliance launched in 2013 that provides airlines with streamlined, multi-station access to a full palette of passenger, ramp, and cargo handling services across European airports. The alliance unites local ground handling specialists (AeroGround in Germany, Goldair Handling in Greece/Cyprus/Bulgaria, AAS in Switzerland, GH Italia in Italy, and Aviator Airport Alliance Europe AB in Scandinavia) under a single network partnership.

Product overview

Ground.net is a pan-European ground handling services alliance launched in 2013, providing airlines with a multi-station network alternative alongside global players. The offering consists of a unified alliance of five partner companies (AeroGround, Goldair Handling, AAS, GH Italia, and Aviator Airport Alliance Europe AB) offering complementary Landside Services and Airside Services modules. Each partner provides specialized ground handling at their respective airports throughout Europe, with shared best practices, harmonized standards, and streamlined access to a full palette of passenger, ramp, and cargo services. The alliance covers airports in Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, United Kingdom, and Scandinavian countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Landside Services Passenger-facing ground handling services offered across the ground.net network, including Lost & Found, Ticketing, PRM Handling, Consulting & Training, Flight Preparation, Station Management, DCS Support, and Passenger Services. Designed for airline customers seeking multi-station passenger handling in Europe.
• Airside Services Aircraft-related ground handling services offered across the ground.net network, including Baggage Sorting, Baggage Loading, Cargo & Mail Services, De-Icing Services, Station and Load Control, Cabin Cleaning, Water and Toilet Services, and Ramp Services. Provided for airline customers across European airports.
• AeroGround Services (Germany) Ground handling services delivered by AeroGround at Munich, Berlin-Schönefeld and Berlin-Tegel airports in Germany, including Representation, Administration & Supervision, Ramp & Baggage Services, Infrastructural Services, General Aviation Services & Executive/VIP Services, and Consulting & Training Services.
• Goldair Handling Services (Greece/Cyprus/Bulgaria) Ground handling services at 31 airports in Greece, Cyprus, and Bulgaria, including Load Control, Communications & Flight Operations, Lounge Services, PRM Services, and De/Anti-Icing Services. Operated by the first ISAGO-registered provider in Greece, serving over 160 contracted airline customers.
• AAS Airline Assistance Switzerland Services Landside and airside ground handling services based in Zurich, covering Passenger Services, Station & Load Control, Ramp and Baggage Sorting Services, and De-Icing. Provided by the only Swiss-owned ground handler in the alliance.
• GH Italia Services (Italy / London Heathrow) Ground handling services at 12 Italian airports and London Heathrow, including Load Control, Communications and Flight Operations, Aircraft Cleaning, Airport Ticketing Sales Desk, and General Aviation Services. Operated by the largest independent ground handling operator in Italy.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced costs and workload for airlines through simplified multi-station administration and harmonized standards.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GH ItaliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2014GH Italia, part of the Alisud Group, is the largest independent ground handling operator in Italy. Operating at 12 Italian airports including Rome Fiumicino, Naples, Venice, Bologna, and London Heathrow (UK), GH Italia is ISO 9001:2008 certified and implements ISAGO standards. GH Italia joined the alliance in November 2014.
• Aviator Airport Alliance Europe ABminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2014Scandinavian ground handling partner that extended the ground.net strategic partnership in November 2014, providing coverage in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland.
• AAS Airline Assistance SwitzerlandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2013As the only Swiss-owned ground handler, AAS brings impeccable credibility, fast adaptability, and short paths for rapid communication. Based in Zurich, AAS provides a full range of landside and airside services including Passenger Services, Station & Load Control, Ramp and Baggage Sorting Services, and De-Icing. AAS joined the alliance in November 2013 and holds ISO certification.
• AeroGround Flughafen München GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2013German ground handling company AeroGround Flughafen München GmbH is the market leader at Munich Airport (MUC), Germany's second-largest airport. AeroGround provides ramp & baggage services, infrastructural services, general aviation services, and consulting & training. AeroGround has approximately 1,900 employees and is committed to environmental protection (ISO 14001 and EMAS certified). AeroGround signed the founding strategic alliance agreement with Goldair Handling in April 2014.
• Goldair HandlingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2013Founded in 1992, Goldair Handling is the first private ground handling company in the liberalized Greek market since spring 1999. Operating at 31 airports across Greece, Cyprus, and Bulgaria, Goldair Handling serves over 160 contracted airline customers and handled over 18.5 million passengers and 84,500 flights in 2013. It is the first ISAGO registered provider in Greece and holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• TAV Airports: Turkish airport operator with ground handling subsidiaries (TAV Airports Holding / BTA) operating across multiple geographies. Provides ground handling as part of a wider airport services portfolio, comparable in service mix but at broader scale.
• Fraport: Operator of Frankfurt Airport (Germany's largest) and other airports globally, with in-house ground handling and a broader portfolio of airport services. Overlaps with ground.net in ground handling but operates across a wider infrastructure scope.

Direct peers

• Worldwide Flight Services (WFS): Global air cargo and ground handling services company serving airlines at more than 170 stations. Direct competitor offering multi-station handling agreements to major international carriers.
• Swissport International: World's largest air cargo and ground handling operator, with hundreds of stations globally and a dedicated multi-station offering for airline customers. Directly comparable in core service portfolio (passenger, ramp, cargo, de-icing) and target market (global and regional airlines).
• Menzies Aviation: Global leader in airline ground services, cargo handling, and into-plane fueling with operations at 200+ airports. Competes head-to-head with ground.net for multi-station airline contracts across European and global stations.
• dnata: Part of the Emirates Group, dnata is one of the largest global ground handling and air services providers, serving major airlines at hundreds of airports. Direct competitor in multi-station network agreements, particularly for carriers needing European coverage.
• Celebi Aviation: Turkish-based independent ground handling and cargo services company with operations across multiple geographies, providing passenger, ramp, and cargo handling. Comparable service portfolio targeting regional and global airline customers.
• Aviapartner: European-based ground handling services provider operating at multiple European airports, offering passenger, ramp, and cargo services. Closely comparable in geographic focus (Europe) and service mix to ground.net members.

Emerging players

• Airline Services Group: Provider of cabin cleaning and ground support services to airlines at UK and European airports. Comparable in being an independent, multi-station support services vendor targeting airline customers, though with a narrower service scope.
• Aviation Ground Services (AGS): Independent African ground handling services provider with operations across multiple African airports. Comparable in business model (independent handler serving airline customers) but focused on a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ground-net

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ground.net