In this Buyer’s Assessment, Ian Beauchamp, GSE/project lead for Red Handling, Norwegian’s ground services provider at London Gatwick International Airport, tells Airside about how it differs from other handlers and about the GSE that allows it to be the best it can be
What sets Red Handling apart from other handlers?
Red Handling’s mission is to provide a first-class ground handling solution to Norwegian Airlines. The service from check-in right through to baggage reconciliation is designed to provide a comprehensive passenger experience in a safe, secure and operationally compliant manner. To get there, we will:
· Adhere to our values
· Maintain low operating costs, operational excellence and helpful, friendly service
· Continue to develop high-quality and cost-efficient services
· Monitor and improve the cost base where possible
· Develop a lean and flat organisation in which decision-making is simple and direct
· Maintain an innovative, ‘out-of-the-box’ approach to the way we do business
· Live and breathe as a positive and entrepreneurial organisation in which everyone can make a difference
We differ from other ground handling agents (GHAs) by being totally independent, and consider ourselves to be a family group that works together to enable and achieve our goals. We adapt and overcome to provide a best-in-class service.
Red Handling was formed only very recently; do you feel that this gives you a modern edge and an advantage over some of the more ‘legacy’ type handlers?
Yes, we are a modern company with a very modern feel. We have adopted an out-of-the-box approach to how we manage our operation, which keeps us lean and mean. This gives us the ability to manage costs, at the same time as providing excellence in the ground handling community for both safety and compliance.
How many aircraft turnarounds a day are you currently handling and of which aircraft types?
We currently operate 45 turnarounds a day. Destinations vary from day to day but include airports across Norway, Spain, Denmark, Portugal, Greece, Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany and, currently, to five airports across the US.
What aspects of your GSE fleet are you particularly pleased with, and why?
In May 2017, we acquired a Douglas TBL-280 pushback tug and we have another two on order. These pushback tugs have a unique cradle capturing system for aircraft nose landing gear, while the TBL-280 towbarless tractors also offer responsive and easier handling alongside greater manoeuvrability. They provide a cost-effective solution to departures and towing, whilst still maintaining security and integrity through all manoeuvres.
They are ideal for our operation, in which we only serve B737-800 and B787-8/9 ‘Dreamliner’ aircraft.
Have you found Douglas (now a part of Textron GSE) a good partner for you?
We have found the manufacturer to be very amicable, and they are able to be on-site very quickly to assist with any issues that arise.
Do you own your towbarless tractors?
We lease all our equipment through TCR.
How many items of this GSE are there in the Red handling fleet?
We currently have 58 motorised GSE assets, which include steps, conveyer belts, hi-loaders and pushback tugs, as well as 87 pieces of non-motorised GSE.
Are you intending to acquire more GSE to grow your fleet?
We are currently in the process of looking at our Winter 2017 and Summer 2018 schedules to see when and where we would require to uplift further GSE into our operation. With an increase in Norwegian’s long-haul routes, with new routes to Denver, Seattle, Singapore, Argentina, Chicago and Austin all launching before March 2018, no doubt an uplift of some sort will be required.
