Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl), the largest independent air cargo handler in Hong Kong, has been awarded a certificate under the "IATA Enhanced GSE Recognition Program", making it the first ground handler in Asia to achieve this recognition.

The programme encourages the installation of anti-collision systems on new and existing ground support equipment (GSE) to prevent expensive potential damage to aircraft on the ramp.

Hactl said in an announcement that it began installing anti-collision equipment in its GSE fleet in 2017.

Its collision avoidance systems trigger an audio-visual alert to operators when GSE is within close proximity to aircraft.

"To recognise Hactl's strong progress in this area and encourage more ground handlers to follow suit, IATA presented Hactl with a Certificate of Recognition at its latest IATA Ground Handling Conference (IGHC), held in Iceland. 

Paul Cheng, executive director - of operations at Hactl, said the firm is "totally committed" to all measures that improve ramp safety and has once again leveraged technology to protect its customers' valuable assets."

"We are proud to be the first ground handler in Asia to achieve this distinction, and applaud IATA's constant efforts in once again driving the adoption of best practice across the entire global aviation industry," he said.

Cheng and Benny Siu, head of safety, sustainability and quality assurance at Hactl received the certificate at IGHC.