GHA
A Ground Handling Agent (GHA) provides services at airports on behalf of airlines, particularly for air cargo operations. Cargo-side GHA services include accepting freight from forwarders, weighing and measuring shipments, building up ULDs (Unit Load Devices), screening for Dangerous Goods (DG) compliance, special handling for Valuable Cargo (VCHS), and loading/unloading aircraft.
A typical GHA serves multiple airlines under different contracts — each with its own rate card, SLA requirements, and operational standards. Workflows must support per-airline rate billing, AWB-level tracking, ULD pool management, and integration with airline cargo reservation systems.
Specialised GHA workflows include the Valuable Cargo Handling System (VCHS) for high-value shipments like precious metals, currency, and jewellery; cold-chain handling for pharma; and perishable handling for fresh produce.
The GHA is the airline's hands on the ground — the speed and quality of acceptance, screening and build-up feed directly into flight schedules and safety. Because a single GHA serves many airlines under different contracts, per-airline rate billing and SLA tracking are core to running the business profitably.
from forwarder
(DG check)
What does a cargo ground handling agent do?
Accepts freight from forwarders, weighs and measures it, screens for dangerous goods and security, builds it into ULDs, and loads and unloads the aircraft — on behalf of the airlines it serves.
What is VCHS handling?
Valuable Cargo Handling System — the secure, chain-of-custody workflow a GHA uses for high-value cargo such as precious metals, currency and jewellery.