New European Union (EU) regulations governing ground handling start taking effect from March 27. Published by EASA on March 7, the rules combine safety requirements covering aircraft operations, airports, and cybersecurity. Aircraft ground-handling service providers will have to achieve full compliance within three years.

According to EASA, the new rules will be implemented by national aviation regulators, using a performance-based approach. Last week, the agency said it is committed to avoiding duplication of safety audits for handlers and reducing bureaucracy.

The regulations have been drawn up with input from national authorities, as well as handling companies, aircraft operators, airports, and trade unions. They cover passenger embarkation and disembarkation, aircraft turnarounds (including water and toilet servicing), deicing and anti-icing, and refueling.

“For this major area of aviation, EASA will now build further on the mature standards currently used in the industry,” said Jesper Rasmussen, EASA’s flight standards director. “With the new authority oversight, ground handlers become formally responsible for safe provision of services, relieving air operators of this obligation when operating from an EU aerodrome in the scope of EASA regulations.”

The new rules combine Commission Delegated Regulation 2025/20 covering requirements for companies and organizations and Commission Implementing Regulation 2025/23 covering oversight by competent authorities.