SGHA
Pronunciation: S-G-H-A (spelled out)
Also written as: SGHA — Standard Ground Handling Agreement
Standard Ground Handling Agreement — the IATA-standard contract governing the provision of ground handling services between an airport operator or handler and an airline.
Full Definition
The SGHA is a Standard Ground Handling Agreement published and maintained by IATA as a globally recognised template for commercial ground handling contracts. It defines the scope of services (ramp, passenger, cargo, fuel, etc.), liability limits, and operational responsibilities between ground service providers and airline customers. Editors working on legal or commercial aviation documents must use the acronym 'SGHA' and its full form accurately, as the document has specific legal standing. The SGHA is structured with a Main Agreement and an Annex A (service schedule) and Annex B (location-specific details). It should not be conflated with service-level agreements (SLAs), which are supplementary performance documents.
Usage
Usage note: Always expand on first use. Distinguish from SLA (Service Level Agreement), which is a supplementary performance document, not the primary contract.
In Context
- "The airline and the handler executed an SGHA covering all eight stations on the route network." — Commercial Contract Summary
- "The liability cap cited in the SGHA was found to be inconsistent with the local regulatory framework." — Legal Review Memorandum