Hannover, Germany – Aircargo Services Hannover (ASH), the cargo handling division of Hannover Airport (HAJ), has partnered with aviation consultancy aeroconcept to review and enhance its Safety Management System (SMS) as part of a strategic push to grow its airfreight market share in Europe. The agreement was formalised at the IATA World Cargo Symposium (WCS) in Lima, Peru, signalling the company’s commitment to elevating operational safety standards alongside its business expansion.
Under the consultancy contract, aeroconcept will conduct a comprehensive review of ASH’s existing safety framework, ensuring it meets and exceeds regulatory requirements while remaining aligned with future operational needs. The project is designed to strengthen safety, risk management, and operational resilience across all cargo handling activities at Hannover Airport.
Project Leadership and Scope
The review will be led by Moritz Hampel, aeroconcept consultant, who brings extensive expertise in safety management systems, regulatory compliance, and air cargo operations. Hampel will oversee the assessment, implementation, and execution of safety enhancements, focusing on processes, documentation, and internal communication structures.
James Wyatt, General Manager at aeroconcept, commented: “Our first step is to understand what Aircargo Services Hannover currently has in place — their procedures, documentation, and how employee safety is embedded in day-to-day operations. We will also assess their interaction with other ground handlers at Hannover to ensure a cohesive, customised solution that integrates all operational partners.”
Wyatt stressed that robust safety management systems are increasingly vital for European airports and cargo operators as regulatory requirements evolve. “This project demonstrates our ongoing commitment to improving safety performance in the air cargo sector,” he said. “We are proud to support ASH in raising their safety and quality standards, ensuring consistent, high-quality service for customers and airport stakeholders alike.”
Strategic Timing and Market Growth
Florian Schulte, Vice President of Operations at ASH, highlighted the timing of the project: “We are at a crucial stage in our operational development. Now is the right moment to ensure we are fit for purpose for the coming years of cargo operations at Hannover Airport.”
Schulte noted one of the primary challenges is navigating the varied requirements of multiple stakeholders, including IATA, civil aviation authorities, and airlines. “As a ground handler, our customers are mostly airlines. Each airline has its own cargo handling manual, and we need to align fully to operate safely throughout the process of receiving and handling cargo,” he said. “Additionally, we must adhere to European regulations, IATA standards, and local Civil Aviation Authority rules.”
Aircargo Services Hannover serves more than 20 airlines and several logistics partners at HAJ. In 2025, it handled 103,000 tonnes of air cargo, positioning it as a secondary European airport handler with key advantages such as 24/7 operations, scalable warehouse capacity, and flexibility to expand customer operations.
Schulte concluded: “We want aeroconcept to help us grow and become more efficient, enabling the next step in expanding our presence in the German air cargo market.”
The partnership with aeroconcept underscores ASH’s dual focus on operational growth and safety excellence, reinforcing its commitment to secure, compliant, and efficient airfreight operations.
