BGS in cooperation with KSU starts offering IATA-certified Passenger Ground Services and Airport Ramp Services courses

Beginning in May 2024, International ground handling, aircraft fuel supply, and logistics service provider Baltic Ground Services (BGS) started offering IATA-certified Passenger Ground Services and Airport Ramp Services courses to the employees of its parent company Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider. The courses are based on materials jointly prepared by BGS and the Kazimieras Simonavicius University (KSU), in accordance with programmes designed by IATA itself. An additional benefit of the courses is that they count towards the Airport Operations Foundation Diploma, making it valuable to Airport and Ground Operations professionals.

The Airport Ramp Services course, which takes around 40 academic hours to complete, is aimed at employees responsible for the successful preparation of aircraft prior to take off. During the course, trainees will be introduced to the airside environment and airport ramp services, as well as learn about ramp security awareness, ground service equipment, standard operating procedures, and other relevant topics. The course is suitable for both employees and managers working at the ramp. The intention is to educate them about the actual procedures taking place at ramp, and about the high standards they’ll be required to uphold.

The Passenger Ground Services course, which takes around 45 academic hours to complete, is designed for employees and managers whose duties include dealing with passengers, registration procedures, and boarding. This includes the staff of Ground Handling Agents, Civil Aviation Authorities, Airport Operators, and anyone wishing to start a career as a Passenger Service Agent.

“We hope these courses will enhance the knowledge of current professionals and make it easier for aspiring individuals to enter the aviation industry. The materials, prepared in collaboration with KSU and in compliance with IATA, will share our extensive know-how with the younger generation. We view this as our contribution to addressing the ongoing personnel shortage and ensuring the industry's future,” said Vytautas Cekanavicius, CEO of BGS.

The Airport Ramp Services course was prepared in accordance with the latest edition of the IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) – the internationally recognised standard and mark of the highest quality. To flesh out the official IATA programmes for its own courses, BGS, in collaboration with KSU, provided additional examples, visual materials, and educational narratives supplied by experienced instructors working in the industry.

“Our collaboration with BGS has come just at the right time, as we were considering the best ways of providing students with up-to-date knowledge and skills they’ll need in their future careers. Since, in the world of today, one has to be always ready to adapt – and BGS was just the right partner to expand the knowledge we already had and help us devise the best possible programmes,” explained Deimante Zilinskiene, Head of KSU’s Business Innovation and Communication School.

The Passenger Ground Services course will take place on September 23-27, in person, and on October 14-18, online. The Airport Ramp Services course is scheduled to commence in classroom on September 30 and will conclude on October 4. Upon completion of either course and passing the exam, trainees will be granted an IATA certificate and 6 academic credit points.